Technical Paper
Making Greener Off-Road Vehicles - Assessment Method and Design Solutions
2011-10-06
2011-28-0024
Over the past several years increasing concern is expressed over the impact of tractors and heavy-duty trucks on the environment. One of the factors specific to this type of vehicles is the level of soil damage inflicted by the vehicle. This article suggests methods of ameliorating this type of damage. It is suggested that the harmful impact of the vehicle on the soil be assessed on the basis of an index that takes into account the reduction in the soil's reproductive capacity due to being traversed by vehicular wheels. A computational method is suggested that allows the design of off-road vehicles; it takes into account the number of axles and their arrangement along the base; the distribution of load between the axles, the type and specifics of the drivelines, tire models and pressure, turning patterns, etc. This method allows comparative evaluation of various vehicles, whether already in existence or under design.