TRIPLE TRAILER EVALUATION IN UTAH

An evaluation was made of the operation of triple trailer combinations in comparison with doubles and singles during a one year field study in Utah. The evaluation included safety, operating costs, pavement effects, and human factors associated with triples under actual on-line operations as related to the other combinations. The results showed that triples do reduce operating costs and they do conserve fuel. They do shorten pavement life in comparison with single trailers but no more than doubles. The accident data are limited due to the number of miles traveled during the year but it does indicate that triples are safe under the conditions in which they were operated. Questionnaires were completed by truck drivers and the traveling public and the results are summarized in the report. The traveling public became more favorable with time and the truck drivers became less favorable. Braking tests, offtracking, vehicle swerving, effects of road and weather conditions, and passing time were also evaluated. Portions of this document are not fully legible.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored in part by Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.
• Corporate Authors:

  Utah Department of Transportation

  Research and Development Unit, State Office Building
  Salt Lake City, UT  United States  84114

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Peterson, D E
  • Gull, R
• Publication Date: 1975-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 171 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Braking; Energy conservation; Field tests; Freight transportation; Fuel consumption; Human factors; Human factors engineering; Maneuverability; Operating costs; Pavements; Safety; Tractor trailer combinations; Traffic safety; Trailers; Trucks
• Uncontrolled Terms: Triple trailers
• Old TRIS Terms: Cargo transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Pavements; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00143933
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UDOT-MR-75-4 Final Rpt.
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 1 1977 12:00AM