Delft University of Technology
Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering Transport Technology
A.H. Boezeman Sporend op weg: onderzoek naar dynamisch weggedrag van multi-trailers. Masters thesis, Report 97.3.TT.4901, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
At present Dutch infrastructure is heavily congested, which has an increasingly adverse affect on the economy. The Dutch position as "Gateway to Europe" is being threatened, so it is essential that the mobility of cargo is increased and that costs are minimised. Moreover, when more efficient cargo lines have been set up to the European hinterland, opportunities for the employment of more unskilled labour can be created in many industries.
With regard to transportation on short distances roadtransport has an preferenced position. That is why enlargement of scale has always been of interest to those concerned with road transport. A concept based on multi-trailers has the following advantages:
1. Handling of the containers is not necessary for 'door tot door' distribution. 2. Dividing of the 'train' creates independently usable components.
3. The steering mechanism of the five constituent trailers has been designed in such in a way that when making a turn each trailer follows the same track as its predecessor.
However, the speed at which these vehicles are operated at this moment is limited, and there is uncertainty about the stability at higher speeds. That is why it is discussed if there are ways to modify the multi-trailer, resulting in safe roadhandling when increasing the speed. Therefore research of the roadhandling has been done with experiments and computer simulation.
The most important conclusions are:
Batching in roadtransport can be important factor more efficient cargotransport. This offers an advantage from environmental point of view, and will reduce congestion. It is also anticipated that the decrease in the number of vehicles will contribute to road safety.
A transportation network with multi-trailers offers an optimal solution for cargotransport within The Netherlands. Research of roadhandling of multi-trailers can very well be done with computer simulation.
The stability of the existing multi-trailers is insufficient at higher speeds. An innovative modification of the steering mechanism offers considerable improvement. Meanwhile the track following behaviour at low speed is preserved.
A constructive adjustment can also improve the de roadhandling at low speed. The minimal turning radius can be decreased by 30 %, while not influencing stability at higher speeds.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
