The Essentials of Long The Essentials of Long Combination Vehicles Combination Vehicles

Presented toFHWA Talking Freight

May 20, 2009

John Woodrooffe

Probability of crash/exposure

Exposure

Proba

bilit

y of

inju

ry/c

rash

Goal: To Shrink the “ICE” cube

Injuries

Crashes

Exposure

Technology

Human Policy

Transport Efficiency & Safety

Contribution to SafetyContribution to Safety

Time

Sa

fety

Be

nefit

Pre

sent

tim

e

Human

Technology

PolicyState, NHTSA, FMCSA

FHWA, Fleet

The LCV TaskThe LCV Task

Differentiate between the low density cube limited freight task and the high density mass limited freight task Vehicles are very different Efficiencies and benefits are very different

This discussion focuses on the cube limited freight task - LCVs

Vehicle Dynamic PerformanceVehicle Dynamic Performance

Performance based methods exist to evaluate vehicle dynamic behavior

Coupling methods have a significant influence on vehicle stability performance

Longer trailers tend to be less dynamically sensitive

A-Train

B-Train

C-TrainC-Train

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURESKEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Steady-state roll stability rearward amplification load transfer ratio high-seed offtracking high-speed transient offtracking high speed friction utilization low-speed offtracking low-speed friction utilization

Load Transfer Ratio

0.5447

0.919

0.5599

0.524

0.533

0.6118

1

0.298

0.628

0.742

0.598

0.271

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Tractor Semi Trailer 80,000 lbs

STAA Double 80,000 lbs

Turnpike Double 45' 129,000 lbs

Turnpike Double 48' 129,000 lbs

Rocky MD 117,000 lbs

Rocky MD 113,000 lbs

Triple A-train 118,500 lbs

Triple C-train 118,500 lbs

Truck Tank Trailer 114,300 lbs

Truck Tank Trailer ext 114,300 lbs

Rocky MD tanker 117,000 lbs

B-train tanker 117,000 lbs

Better <<< Load Transfer Ratio

FailPass

Load Transfer Ratio vs Total Payload Length

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Total Payload Length (ft)

Load

Tra

nsfe

r R

atio

Load Transfer Ratio vs GVW

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

100000 110000 120000 130000

Gross Vehicle Weight (lbs)

Load

Tra

nsfe

r R

atio

For Varying GVW Conditions Tied to the Bridge Formula

Surplus Brake CapacitySurplus Brake Capacity

0

10

20

30

40

30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000

Gross Vehicle Weight (kg)

Bra

ke S

urpl

us (

%)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

All LCVs Tractor semi

Cra

sh ra

te p

er 1

00 m

illion

km

Fatal

Injury

PDO

LCV Safety Performance LCV Safety Performance (benefits are strongly linked to policy)(benefits are strongly linked to policy)

Source: Alberta LCV Safety Study

(Woodrooffe & Associates)

Alberta Study ConclusionsAlberta Study Conclusions

The Alberta LCV fleet crash rate is 5 times better than tractor semi-trailers

The LCV safety improvement is attributed to special permit road transport policy

42% of LCV collisions occurred under adverse conditions

Further improvements in safety performance of LCV’s can be expected if more aggressive weather restrictions were applied

Special Permit ManagementSpecial Permit Management

Acceptance into the program require a minimum performance threshold

Require special safety technologies on vehicle Regular incident reporting by carriers important

to ensure maximum benefit Highway safety and weight violation information

linked to performance evaluation Meaningful enforcement is essential The system should foster pride – it should be

seen as a privilege and not a right

Best Practice Managed LCV BenefitsBest Practice Managed LCV Benefits

Factors Benefit

Truck VMT reduction 44%

Cost saving to shipper 29%

Reduction in fuel, CO2 and NOX emissions 32%

Reduction in road consumption 40%

Exposure crash reduction 44%

Policy affected crash rate reduction (excluding VMT exposure reduction benefits)

5 times

What we have learnedWhat we have learned Managed LCV operations have a significantly better safety

record than normal trucks (5 – 7 times) Other benefits include:

Reduced fuel use (strategically significant 30% ) Reduced emissions CO2 and NOX (30%) Reduction in road consumption 40% Truck VMT reduction 44%

• Congestion benefits• Driver shortage & training benefits

Societal value of the LCV is very high with wide ranging benefits including environmental impact, fuel supply and safety.

Friendly Truck Vehicle TechnologiesFriendly Truck Vehicle TechnologiesAdd More BenefitsAdd More Benefits

Roll Stability Systems and Electronic Stability Systems

Lane Departure Warning Systems

Forward Collision Warning Systems with Adaptive Cruise Control

23

1

2

31

4

4

Vehicle diagnostic and location systems

Applying Cost-Benefit MethodologyApplying Cost-Benefit Methodology- - Defining Societal ValueDefining Societal Value - -

Indirect Benefits

AnticipatedPayback Period

and ROI

Total CostsTotal Benefits

Direct Savings

Number ofcrashes

Preventableby LDWS

Cost of Crashes

Improved Competitiveness

Driver Retention& Training costs

Reduced Insurance Cost

Indirect Benefits

AnticipatedNational Transport

Efficiency Gain

Total CostsTotal Benefits

Direct Savings

Value ofcrashes

Prevented

Fuel, Operation, Maintenance & Road Savings

Improved Competitiveness

Reduced Carbon & Emissions

ReducedCongestion

Conclusion - Possible U.S. ApplicationConclusion - Possible U.S. Application Create a special “friendly truck” category Vehicles must comply with performance measure Fitted with advanced technologies (ESC, forward

collision, speed limiters, active driver and vehicle monitoring devices)

Like all moving and vehicle violations monitored and referenced

Minimum driver experience requirements Expect a factor of 10 reduction in crash rates for

this vehicle class compared with tractor semi-trailer

More InformationMore Information

OECD Study – Heavy Vehicles: Operational and productivity Improvements Safety and productivity analysis – 40 vehicles

from 10 countries Effects of regulatory measures Possible regulatory and operational

improvements

International conference on efficient, safe International conference on efficient, safe and sustainable truck transportation systemsand sustainable truck transportation systems

At UMTRI June 15, 16 & 17At UMTRI June 15, 16 & 17

www.magictrucks.orgwww.magictrucks.org