Research and development for industry: Advanced ... - CSIR

AEROSPACE AND AUTOMOTIVETrailersdesigned andmanufacturedlocally forSmart TrucksA CSIR and industry partnership in action: JohanHagg from the trailer manufacturing company Afrit,Arie de Lange from fleet operator Unitrans, and CSIRresearcher Christopher de Saxe.Truck trailers manufactured accordingto performance-based standards.CSIR expert Paul Nordengen who chairs the Smart Trucks Review Panel.A heavy vehicle that conforms to the requirementsas set out in the ‘Smart Truck’ research programme.Heavy vehicle designers can now use innovative solutions and the latest technology to meet required performance standardswith improved safety outcomes and productivity, while resulting in the more effective use of local road infrastructure.The performance-basedstandards (PBS) approach,adapted for local conditions andrecommended by the CSIR forheavy vehicles, has been takenup by various companies as partof the ‘Smart Trucks’ researchprogramme. The trailers ofSmart Trucks, which conformto PBS, are being manufacturedlocally, according to preapprovedspecifications and routes.“Proposed Smart Trucks haveto undergo a comprehensiveapproval process and meetregulatory requirements beforethe trailers are manufactured,”notes local PBS expert,Paul Nordengen of the CSIR.non-directional manoeuvresin which standards such as tailswing, low-speed swept path,static rollover threshold, rearwardamplification, yaw damping andhigh-speed transient off-trackingare assessed.“Principle approval is alsorequired from the provincialdepartments and nationalDepartment of Transport,according to the Abnormal Loadprocess. The final assessmentreports together with the finalvehicle design and proposedroutes must then be submittedto the Smart Trucks ReviewPanel for approval,” explainsNordengen, who chairs thereview panel.DesignRequired vehicle design features include:• ABS/EBS braking systems• Retarders/intarders• Side marker lights (truck tractor – ‘horse’ and trailer)• Abnormal load signs on the front and back of the vehicle• A vehicle management system for monitoring the driver’s performance,including speeding, harsh braking or acceleration and vehicle location.Fleet operatorstractor, from existing suppliersaccording to the loads our truckshave to be able to pull. Ourtrailer design and manufacturingpartner is Afrit,” says Arie deThe risk is thus reducedin terms of the number ofaccidents occurring, whileaccident levels are also downdue to all our vehicles on theroad having to comply withsafety standards as set outin the PBS. The Smart Truckdefinitely leads to increasedproductivity. We can, forexample, move more tons ofcargo per kilometre with thesetrucks,” notes De Lange.A reduction in emissions perton of cargo transported isanother positive spin-off.“The CSIR also undertakesroad wear analyses of ourtrucks to inform us whichkinds of tyres cause the leastdamage of the roads weare permitted to use,”he comments.a good ‘match’ between avehicle and the subset ofthe road network it will use,ensuring protection of the roadinfrastructure and adherence toacceptable safety standards.“We receive operational data ofthe Smart Trucks on a monthlybasis to monitor compliance,and to evaluate the benefits ofthe PBS research programmedemonstration projects,” notesNordengen.Trailer manufacturing“In collaboration with theclient, we design the PBStrailers within the length andheight specified and accordingto the needs of the client, inthis case Unitrans,” says JohanHagg, sales executive of trailermanufacturer Afrit.start of the initial paperworkto getting the go-ahead forproduction in the factory,usually takes up to three years,”Hagg notes.“Logistics service providershave expressed a growing needfor Smart Trucks as they realisethey will need fewer vehicleswith the longer trailers,” hesays. The longest truck-trailercombination to have been builtat Afrit was 43 m, for use in themining sector.Human capital developmentChristopher de Saxe of theCSIR conducts research withinNordengen’s group on thepossibilities of PBS for carcarriertrucks. As part of itshuman capital developmentdrive, the CSIR enablesDe Saxe to complete his MScassessments of proposed carcarrierdesigns,” says De Saxe.Initial analyses of low-speedmanoeuvrability have shownthat a large percentage of theexisting South African fleet failsto meet the requirements of the‘tail swing’ standard.Tail swing is the amount bywhich the rearmost outer cornerof a vehicle or trailer swingsoutwards during a low-speedturn.“To date, two car-carrierdesigns have undergonedetailed assessments and havebeen modified to address thetail swing problem. The designmodifications have resulted inimprovements in other safetycriticalaspects of the vehicles.This is a good example of PBSat work in improving overallvehicle safety,” concludesDe Saxe.Smart Truck demonstrationprojects are being used in theforestry and mining sectors,The concept design of awith a number of otherThe fleets of participatingSmart Truck must indicate Only once the final operationalLange, Unitrans technical| 20 |projects in the design phaseoperators of Smart Trucks“It is a very thorough, and thus in engineering through a– Hilda van Rooyen | 21 |key dimensions, axle unitapproval is received, may themanager for agriculture andrepresenting various industryare accredited through the long, process to get approval for studentship at the University ofmasses and the tyre sizes. applicant proceed to buy vehiclemining services.sectors.Road Transport Management manufacturing a Smart Truck the Witwatersrand (Wits).Enquiries:The design standards for the components and manufacture the“Unitrans decided to go theSystem self-regulationtrailer. This is to ensure that allPaul Nordengentrailers include high- andtrailer according to the approved “As a fleet operator, Unitrans Smart Truck route as it cutsprogramme. The PBSsafety requirements and PBS “Wits and the CSIR have beenpnordengen@csir.co.zalow-speed directional anddesign and specifications.chooses the horse, or truck down on the number of vehicles.approach thus allows forspecifications are met. From the contracted to perform PBS