Mark A. Flick

Hardware evaluation of heavy truck side and rear object detection systems

This paper focuses on two types of electronics-based object detection systems for heavy truck applications: those sensing the presence of objects to the rear of the vehicle, and those sensing the presence of objects on the right side of the vehicle

A Comprehensive Light Vehicle Antilock Brake System Test Track Performance Evaluation

To determine if situations and/or conditions exist in which ABS-equipped vehicles do not perform as well as those without ABS, the braking performance of nine passenger vehicles was observed over a comprehensive array of driving conditions. For most maneuvers, on most surfaces, ABS-assisted stops yielded distances shorter than those made with the ABS disabled. The one exception was on loose gravel where stopping distances increased by an average of 27.2 percent overall. Additionally, the vehicular stability observed during testing was almost always superior with ABS. For the cases in which instability was observed, ABS was not deemed responsible for its occurrence.

Human Factors Evaluation of Existing Side Collision Avoidance System Driver Interfaces

This paper presents an assessment of the driver interface component of side collision avoidance systems. It looks at the design of the interfaces, and recommendations are presented regarding ergonomically desirable or undesirable features. A preliminary set of driver interface performance specifications are listed.

Benefits of front brakes on heavy trucks

This paper addresses the issue of front wheel braking on heavy trucks and reviews testing that has been performed over the years dating back to 1948 to evaluate the effect of front brakes on braking performance. It also describes in detail a test and demonstration program on front wheel brakes that was conducted in September 1986. The paper indicates that front wheel brakes have a strong effect on braking performance and that vehicles without front wheel brakes take longer distances to stop and are more likely to lose control in emergency situations. The paper also indicates that the use of front brake pressure limiting valves with typical, current design front brakes degrades vehicle braking performance.

The effect of aftermarket linings on braking efficiency

Currently there are no adequate standards or regulations that address the performance of aftermarket replacement brake linings to insure that the use of these materials does not degrade vehicle braking performance from the original equipment (OE) design intent level. This paper discusses the results of an evaluation of a large sampling of aftermarket linings available for the rear brake of a specific model passenger car and shows that many of these linings have significantly different performance than the OE material. The paper also shows how this deviation can adversely affect vehicle braking efficiency or the ability of the brake system to utilize available tire/roadway friction without locking wheels and losing control.