Assessment vehicle

Measurement vehicles

The drivability of road traffic areas can be checked continuously with a measurement vehicle . The vehicle exists only theoretically, so it is a model . For many types of road vehicles ( cars , trucks , articulated buses , garbage trucksetc.) own assessment vehicles have been defined. They each represent a class of vehicles that are allowed to drive on all public roads without the need for a special permit. Since vehicles of the maximum permitted size rarely occur in reality, the rated vehicle is usually smaller. The dimensions and weights in Germany are therefore based on an "85% vehicle", which corresponds to the majority of the vehicles registered.

properties

A distinction must be made between:

• Dimensioning according to weight and axle load for the road superstructure
• Dimensioning according to expansion for heights and widths
• Dimensioning according to driving geometry for curve radii and drag curves

For smaller access roads, the fire engine or garbage truck is often used as decisive. If the traffic route is not accessible for all motor vehicles, the building contractor must indicate this by means of signs , for example with the corresponding traffic signs for maximum height, width and weight. Individual rules apply to special routes with regular heavy transports or military transports .

history

Dimensioning parameters were already used in Roman road construction, which enabled the road network to be hierarchically structured. A similar system was used in Islamic cities: main thoroughfares in two loaded camels had to offer space, which corresponds to four to eight meters. Less important connecting routes were only sufficient for a cargo camel. The smallest paths were 1 to 1.5 meters wide so that a donkey and a human could meet.

Norms and standards

This article or paragraph presents the situation in Germany and Switzerland . Help us to describe the situation in other countries.

Germany

• FGSV : Measurement vehicles and towing curves for checking the passability of traffic areas, 2001
• FGSV: Recommendations for systems for stationary traffic , 2005

Since the standards were set, the actually registered vehicles have grown significantly. According to a 2012 study, the measurement vehicle should actually be 19 cm longer and 15 cm wider.

Switzerland

• Standard VSS 40 271a: Control of drivability, edition 2019-03

credentials

1. ↑ Research Society for Roads and Transport , Road Design Working Group .: Dimensioning vehicles and drag curves for checking the passability of traffic areas . FGSV-Verlag, February 2001, p. 5 .
2. ^ Helmut Nuhn, Markus Hesse: Verkehrsgeographie . Schöningh, Paderborn [a. a.] 2006, ISBN 3-8252-2687-5 , p. 40
3. ↑ Handbook of municipal transport planning . October 2017, p. 4353 .