Citation

Ivey DL, Horne WB, Tonda RD. Transp. Res. Rec. 1986; 1084: 1-8.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The discovery that heavy truck tires do hydroplane at vehicle speeds from 50 to 70 mph is explored in depth. Horne's prediction of this phenomenon is described in detail. The Texas Transportation Institute's testing program to verify this prediction is described and the results are compared with Horne's theory. An analysis of the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety files on truck accidents for the years 1979 through 1981 shows the extreme overrepresentation of unloaded tractor semitrailers in wet weather accidents, supporting the thesis that tire hydroplaning of large unloaded vehicles is a major contributor to wet weather accidents. Finally, other elements of the problem are explored such as vehicle stability, braking system effects, low tire-pavement friction, and the speed increases associated with unloaded vehicles.

Language: en

Keywords

MOTOR TRUCKS; PAVEMENTS - Moisture Control; TIRES - Skid Resistance; VEHICLES - Stability