Definitions Operational factors Construction factors Vehicle selection Definitions Operational factors Construction factors

Introduction When selecting any vehicle it is important that the choice is seen as fit for the purpose. The primary needs can be considered as consisting of the following. The vehicle is constructed with respect to current legal requirements. The construction and the use of the vehicle conforms to the users requirements. Any load and/or passengers carried are done so safely and with maximum efficiency including anthropometric and ergonomic factors. The vehicle has a good operational history of reliability and minimum costs in operation.

Vehicle definitions Various legal definitions are used throughout the industry. Motor vehicle A mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on the road. Mechanically propelled covers all methods which excludes the use of human and animal muscle. Dual purpose vehicle A motor vehicle designed or adapted to carry both passengers and goods or burden of any description with an unladen weight not exceeding 2040kg ( further criteria specify details of construction) Trailer A trailer is a vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle

Definitions Semi trailer A semi-trailer is a trailer constructed or adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle Articulated vehicle An articulated vehicle is a motor car or heavy motor car not being an articulated bus, with a trailer so attached that 20% of its load, when uniformly loaded, is borne by the drawing vehicle

Definitions Goods vehicle Motor tractor Light locomotives These are constructed or adapted for the carriage of goods, including trailers. Motor tractor Constructed not to carry a load with an unladen weight not exceeding 7340kg (These can draw two trailers) Light locomotives Constructed not to carry a load with an unladen weight exceeding 7340kg but not exceeding 11690kg (These can draw two trailers)

Definitions Heavy locomotives Constructed not to carry a load with an unladen weight exceeding 11690kg (These can draw three trailers) Composite trailer A composite trailer is a combination of a converter dolly and a semi-trailer Converter dolly

Definitions Light goods vehicle Load carrying where the permissible maximum weight including any trailer does not exceeds 3.5 tonnes, Medium goods vehicle Load carrying where the permissible maximum weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes but not 7.5 tonnes Large goods vehicle 1. An articulated goods vehicle 2. A motor vehicle( not an artic) where the permissible maximum weight exceeds 7.7 tonnes

Definitions Unladen weight Unladen weight is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including any body and all parts. It does not include. 1. weight of water oil or fuel 2. Tools carried and loose equipment Kerbside weight For a motor vehicle this the weight of the vehicle unladen and carrying no persons but includes a full tank of fuel and other liquids for the running of the vehicle and any loose tolls and equipment with which the vehicle is normally equipped

Definitions Maximum lengths Motor vehicles Construction and Use 12m Track laying 9.2m Vehicle combinations 18m 18.75m with conditions Articulated vehicles 15.5 m 16.5 for car transporters, 18m low loaders Maximum permitted length of any combination 25.9m Vehicle conform to Special Type General Order Trailers( semi-trailer) 12.2m 12m for none semi-trailers 7m for most others

Definitions Maximum width Motor vehicle 2.55m 2.6m with refrigerated body Locomotives 2.75m Trailers 2.55m drawn by vehicles exceeding 3500kg 2.3 m generally, with exceptions

Definitions Authorisation of Special Types (General Order) An abnormal indivisible load is defined A load which cannot be divided into smaller loads for carrying Due to its dimensions it cannot be carried by vehicles conforming to the Motor Vehicle Construction and Use Regulations Owing to the weight it cannot be carried by vehicles conforming to the C & U requirements

STGO CAT 3 Definitions STGO Total laden weight Category 1(C & U) Vehicle combination up to 46000kg Category 2 Vehicle combination up to 80000kg Category 3 Vehicle combination up to 150000kg Vehicle carry identification sign STGO CAT 3

Licensing factors Licensing factors Operators Licensing All goods vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonne gross plated weight or 1525kg unladen weight if unplated, are controlled by O.L. requirements Vocational licensing Varying age limits control the driving of small, medium and large goods vehicles

Vehicle power, torque, speed and driver comfort major factors. Types of operation Long distance Vehicle power, torque, speed and driver comfort major factors. Reliability factors Short or middle distance inc. local delivery Access factors and running costs STGO Very specialised operation requirements initial cost of equipment very high Off road Technical requirements different from mainly road use International TIR and CMR Specialised ADR ATP

Long distance Here major considerations will be vehicle power, torque, fuel economy and driver comfort to allow long distances to be covered during a driving day Multiple deliveries Here the vehicle spends more time being loaded and unloaded than being driven. Hence the body specifications is crucial, and designs which speed the loading and unloading procedures will be an advantage eg sliding doors, curtain sided. Local deliveries vehicle must be able to gain access easily congestion charging may require alternative fuel engines to avoid payment of the charge Site work vehicles have to contend with the hazards of soft ground, buried rubble and metal. Robust suspension, tyres, twin drive axles, double reduction and diff locks International operations vehicles engaged on international operations require conformity in construction with legal requirements of each state they will operate in. Conformity with Transport International Routier (TIR) will be necessary( not required in the EU)

Types of load carried Light but bulky Heavy Given physical size Valuable Bonded Security Hazardous Plant

Types of load Light There are many examples of very light weight products where the cubic capacity of such loads has far more significance than the weight Heavy Vehicles which will carry heavy loads are often operated under STGO. Similarly vehicle carrying very heavy loads but low volume appear less obtrusive than low mass large bulk Valuable Vehicles likely to carry high value cargos must be designed with high levels of security for protection of the load. The level of security would be a condition of the goods in transit insurance. Bonded cargos will require very high levels of fidelity to comply with the Customs and Excise requirements Hazardous cargos Vehicle engaged in any transportation of certain categories of material are required to conform with specified regulations with respect to their construction and the driver qualification. Such international requirements are Accord Dangereux Routier (ADR) Specialised These include the carriage of animals, for which there are significant legislative factors that affect the vehicle and body construction. The carriage of perishable foodstuffs (Accord Transports Perishables) ATP also has much legislative factors affecting both construction and operation

Type of body Platform Specials Tanker Low loader Tilt/curtain sider Furniture Livestock Demountable Refrigeration

Type of vehicle Rigid Road train Articulated

Construction The selection must be looked at from the construction, maintenance and economic points. Are the proven models in service? Running and administration costs Reliability Maintenance Conformance to current and projected legislation Crew comfort Costs

Aerodynamic cab design Close the gap between tractor and trailer Improved fuel economy Cab deflectors reduced turbulence body profiling Air spoilers/air dams Low frontal area Streamlined body shape Low CDA Cars/minibuses/PSV,s People carrier Dangerous cargos/ADR solids/liquid/gases Goods Refrigerated/ATP Loads carried Body shape Aerodynamics Body design factors

Vehicle design features

single/multiplate Fluid coupling Clutch single reduction inboard reduction outboard reduction double reduction two speed axle final drive single countershaft rangechange/splitter twin countershaft manual semi or fully automatic Electronically controlled Automatic gearbox Transmission

torque split between axles Drive line Multi-axle drive front/rear wheel drive Four wheel drive commercial vehicles Road performance vehicle common on most modern vehicle improved traction sports utility vehicle may incorporate limited slip diff All terrain vehicle auto diff lock use of third diff and diff lock auto four wheel engagement manual selection of diff lock continuous four wheel drive

Vehicle design factors Ergonomic and Anthropometric factors Vehicle safety Ergonomic and Anthropometric factors Operational factors Construction factors Cab suspension Power assistance Seat design Driver position Instrument layout Loads Weight size quantity Liquids Gas Hazardous Cab design Restraint systems Impact resistance Visibility Speed limiters Type approval Current international standards TIR ATP ADR