The Essentials of Long Combination Vehicles Presented to FHWA Talking Freight May 20, 2009 John Woodrooffe

Probability of crash/exposure Exposure Probability of injury/crash Goal: To Shrink the “ICE” cube Injuries Crashes Exposure

Technology Human Policy Transport Efficiency & Safety

Contribution to Safety Time Safety Benefit Present time Human Technology Policy State, NHTSA, FMCSA FHWA, Fleet

The 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 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-Train

KEY 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

Fail Pass

For Varying GVW Conditions Tied to the Bridge Formula

Surplus Brake Capacity

LCV Safety Performance (benefits are strongly linked to policy) Source: Alberta LCV Safety Study (Woodrooffe & Associates )

Alberta 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 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 Benefits FactorsBenefit Truck VMT reduction44% Cost saving to shipper29% Reduction in fuel, CO 2 and NO X emissions32% Reduction in road consumption40% Exposure crash reduction44% Policy affected crash rate reduction (excluding VMT exposure reduction benefits) 5 times

What 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 CO 2 and NO X (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 Technologies Add More Benefits Roll Stability Systems and Electronic Stability Systems Lane Departure Warning Systems Forward Collision Warning Systems with Adaptive Cruise Control Vehicle diagnostic and location systems

Applying Cost-Benefit Methodology - Defining Societal Value - Indirect Benefits Anticipated Payback Period and ROI Total CostsTotal Benefits Direct Savings Number of crashes Preventable by LDWS Cost of Crashes Improved Competitiveness Driver Retention & Training costs Reduced Insurance Cost Indirect Benefits Anticipated National Transport Efficiency Gain Total CostsTotal Benefits Direct Savings Value of crashes Prevented Fuel, Operation, Maintenance & Road Savings Improved Competitiveness Reduced Carbon & Emissions Reduced Congestion

Conclusion - 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 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 and sustainable truck transportation systems At UMTRI June 15, 16 & 17