Modelling and assessment of performance based standards for high capacity vehicles

Abstract

Interest in High capacity transports (HCT) has increased due to better transport efficiency and saving potential in CO2 emissions. HCTs are already allowed on the specified parts of the roads in Sweden (74 tons, 25.25 metres) and longer combination vehicles (30-35 metres) are being considered. The assessment of HCTs could be based on performance based standards (PBS). PBSs are performance requirements on the vehicle to ensure their safe operation on the roads. In Sweden, there are two existing tools for evaluating performance of HCT vehicles with respect to PBS. The goal of this thesis is to help the research project “Performance Based Standards II” to further develop the assessment tool OpenPBS and compare it with the other existing PBS tool. For the comparison, OpenPBS was modified to use the same input parameters as the other tool. Also, the manoeuvres and fixed simulation parameters were aligned and the same tyre model was used. According to this thesis, OpenPBS would be the more suitable tool for evaluating HCT vehicles than the other tool. Motivation for OpenPBS is the stronger physical base for the modelling, thanks to Modelica format. For instance, future vehicle combinations should be easier to support. However, it should be mentioned that OpenPBS is a more advanced tool due to object orientation and therefore requires more competence in physical modelling.