Search Results

Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDRs) have the ability to capture important data surrounding an event such as a crash or near crash. Efforts by many researchers to analyze the capabilities and performance of these complex systems can be problematic, in part, due to the challenges of obtaining a heavy truck, the necessary space to safely test systems, the inherent unpredictability in testing, and the costs associated with this research. In this paper, a method for simulating vehicle speed sensor (VSS) inputs to HVEDRs to trigger events is introduced and validated. Full-scale instrumented testing is conducted to capture raw VSS signals during steady state and braking conditions. The recorded steady state VSS signals are injected into the HVEDR along with synthesized signals to evaluate the response of the HVEDR. Brake testing VSS signals are similarly captured and injected into the HVEDR to trigger an event record.

Modern heavy vehicles may be equipped with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) designed to increase highway safety. Depending on the vehicle or manufacturer, these systems may detect objects in a driver’s blind spot, provide an alert when the ADAS determines that the vehicle is leaving its lane of travel without the use of a turn signal, or notify the driver when certain road signs are detected. ADASs also include adaptive cruise control, which adjusts the vehicle’s set cruise speed to maintain a safe following distance when a slower vehicle is detected ahead of the truck. In addition, the ADAS may have a Collision Mitigation System (CMS) component that is designed to help drivers respond to roadway situations and reduce the severity of crashes. CMSs typically use radar or a combination of radar and optical technologies to detect objects such as vehicles or pedestrians in the vehicle’s path.

The time/distance relationship for a motor coach accelerating from a stop is often needed to accurately assess the events leading up to a collision. Several series of tests were conducted to document the low speed acceleration performance of a 45-foot long 2011 MCI J4500 motor coach equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine and a ZF AS Tronic 12-speed automatic transmission. These tests included three load configurations and two different acceleration rates, normal and rapid. Data were gathered with a Racelogic VBOX IIIi.

The time/distance relationship for a motor coach accelerating from a stop is often needed to accurately assess the events leading up to a collision. Several series of tests were conducted to document the low speed acceleration performance of a 45 foot long 2000 Van Hool motor coach equipped with a Cummins ISM engine and an Allison B500 6-speed automatic transmission. These tests included three load configurations and two different acceleration rates, normal and rapid. Data were gathered with a Racelogic VBOX IIIi.

For model year 2018, Freightliner introduced the New Cascadia model to their lineup of Class 8 trucks. Testing of the Freightliner New Cascadia with Detroit Diesel engines was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the reported event data contained in the engine Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for these trucks. The testing showed that there are occurrences in DDEC Reports, specifically in the Last Stop Record and Hard Braking event data, when the time between successive event data points was two seconds rather than the reported one second interval. The occurrence of the two-second anomaly was not always present in a Last Stop Record or Hard Braking event. When the two-second anomaly was present in the event data, it occurred randomly and no pattern to when this anomaly occurs was determined. No method was found to be able to detect the presence of this anomaly from the review of a Last Stop Record or Hard Braking event.

The time/distance relationship for a heavy truck accelerating from a stop is often needed to accurately assess the events leading up to a collision. Several series of tests were conducted to document the low speed acceleration performance of a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia truck tractor equipped with a 12-speed automated manual transmission in Auto Mode. Unlike tests in previous papers, the driver never manually shifted gears. These tests included three trailer load configurations and two different acceleration rates. Data were gathered with both a VBOX and with the Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (DDDL) software.

The time/distance relationship for a heavy truck accelerating from a stop is often needed to accurately assess the events leading up to a collision. Several series of tests were conducted to document the low speed acceleration performance of a 2016 Kenworth T680 truck tractor equipped with a ten-speed overdrive automated manual transmission in Auto Mode. Throughout the testing, the driver never manually shifted gears. This testing included three trailer load configurations and two different acceleration rates. Data were gathered with a VBOX and the Cummins INSITE software.