Safety Implications of Various Truck Configurations. Volume 3. Summary Report

摘要

The purpose of the study is to examine changes to size and weight limits in order to determine their effects on the designs and configurations of heavy vehicles, the performance capabilities of the resulting vehicles, and the ensuing safety implications thereof. The summary report provides results and findings from an analytical investigation of the influences of size and weight limits on trucks. In an analytical sense, pavement loading rules and bridge formulas are the inputs to the analyses and vehicle performances are the outputs. Ultimately, the work shows the manner in which size and weight rules influence the safety-related performance of vehicles designed to increase productivity. By treating a number of projected size and weight scenarios, the study has developed a basis for generalizing to sets of principles that can be used in evaluating the possible safety consequences of changes in size and weight regulations. The volume is the third in a series of three.