Improving the Dynamic Performance of Multitrailer Vehicles: A Study of Innovative Dollies. Volume 1. Technical Report

摘要

The study of the dynamic performance of multitrailer articulated vehicles has led to the development of guidelines for the design of innovative dollies that will improve the roll stability and trailing fidelity of doubles combinations. The major effort of the project involved identification, analysis, and further development of innovative dolly and trailer hitching hardware showing potential for the reduction of rearward amplification and prevention of rollover of the second trailer. Specifically, the project (1) reviewed the current state-of-the-art in innovative coupling mechanisms, (2) performed a parametric sensitivity study, based on computer simulation techniques in combination vehicles using existing and proposed coupling mechanisms, and incorporating various combinations of 96- and 102-in-width hardware, (3) developed a new type of dolly believed to provide superior safety performance, (4) conducted full-scale tests of combination vehicles using various dollies, including a prototype of the new dolly, and (5) examined the potential safety and economic impacts of the use of innovative dolly hardware.