Development of car/trailer handling and braking standards. Volume II: technical report for Phase I - rear wheel drive tow cars. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Passenger Vehicle Research, Washington, D.C.

Development of car/trailer handling and braking standards. Volume III: appendices for Phase I. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Passenger Vehicle Research, Washington, D.C.

Development of car/trailer handling and braking standards. Volume I: executive summary. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Passenger Vehicle Research, Washington, D.C.

Effects of weight distributing hitch torque on car-trailer directional control and braking. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Trailer braking performance - recreational vehicles. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

An experimental investigation of the unsteady aerodynamics of passing highway vehicles. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

An experimental investigation of the unsteady aerodynamics of passing highway vehicles. Final summary.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Development of aerodynamic disturbance test procedures. Volume I: executive summary. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle Engineering Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Development of aerodynamic disturbance test procedures. Volume II: technical report. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle Engineering Research Division, Washington, D.C.

Effects of pavement grooving on friction, braking, and vehicle control. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Research and Development, Washington, D.C.

Survey of suspension systems on vehicles towing travel trailers II. Volume 15. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Comparison of California accident rates for single and double tractor-trailer combination trucks. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.

Influences of the load centre of gravity on heavy vehicle acceleration

The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of the load centre of gravity on heavy vehicle acceleration. This analysis is done through a method in which a vehicle centre of gravity map is used. A model for the driving force is presented for bus, truck and tractor-semi trailer combinations. The proposed model takes into consideration the resistance forces (drag, rolling resistance, translation and rotation acceleration, climbing resistance) and the 4 X 2 traction system. The positions of the vehicle centre of gravity as a function of the position of the load centre of gravity are determined. The vehicle acceleration is calculated based on the position of the load centre of gravity. This study analyses the acceleration of one of the Mercedes-Benz do Brasil tractor-semitrailer vehicle. A comparison of the acceleration for different maximum adhesion coefficients and ramps are presented, showing new results. An example showing the variations of the load centre of gravity position with the acceleration time and distance is provided. The load centre of gravity position is important for vehicle safety and the efficiency and economy in the transportation of the load.

Heavy truck pilot crash test rollover.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.