Unsafe practices of truck drivers on long grades: the case of the expressway in the Mont-Blanc-Le Fayet tunnel Online publication date: Tue, 18-Jun-2013
by C. Tetard, J.P. Roumegoux, R. Huet, R. Quincy, D. Vulin
International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS), Vol. 1, No. 1, 1993
Abstract: The road tunnel of Mont-Blanc/Le Fayet (20 km) is a continuous grade with a difference in elevation of about 700 m. Inertia forces the driver constantly to retard his vehicle by means of the different braking systems (service brake, engine brake, exhaust brake, retarder). Accidents involving trucks arising from a loss of efficiency due to overheating brakes motivated this study. The aim was to identify the factors of hazard and to suggest appropriate measures to reduce them. The results allowed us to identify four driving strategies. Two of them are risky because the driver puts on the service brake too often which produces brake overheating. Two factors cause these risky strategies: difficulties encountered by inexperienced drivers who lack the required know-how to regulate speed (namely the choice of an appropriate gearbox ratio); working conditions (loading delay, mechanical incidents...) which sometimes lead the experienced ones to take risks. Different recommendations have been suggested: guidance and information measures, recovery measures, professional training for driving difficult routes.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems (IJHVS):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com