Truck and Accident Reconstruction Jargon
If you’re even reading this blog, you likely already know the lingo, but it never hurts to have a refresher. There are many other words and phrases that I could have added here, but I thought I would just make a quick list of some that come to mind.
Please add some acronyms, phrases and names without thinking much about it. Just go with the stream of consciousness and see how many you can add.
ABS
Anti-lock Braking System – separate autonomous systems are used on the tractor and semi trailer to limit wheel slip, prevent wheel lock, and assist the driver in maintaining control and stability of the vehicle
Bill of lading
In general, a document which specifies the content, weight and other aspects of the payload
Bobtail
Driving a tractor without the trailer
Cab over
Tractor with flat front end (no hood), as opposed to a conventional cab(with hood)
CDL
Commercial Driver’s License
CMV
Commercial Motor Vehicle
Computer Simulation
Engineering analysis performed by using a computer
Computer Animation
Graphical presentation of a computer simulation or other analysis
Conspicuity
Ability to attract attention to itself. Conspicuity tape is reflective red and white tape installed on trucks
Deadhead
tractor pulling an empty trailer
Delta V
Change in speed of a vehicle during a collision
Fifth Wheel
Device on tractor in the shape of a horse shoe used to connect the trailer, via the king pin, to the tractor
FMCSR
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations – 49 CFR
LLCW
Lightly Loaded Combination Weight – i.e., having zero payload (other than weight of instrumentation, driver, and test engineers)
GCW
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight – for tractors and semi-trailers, all axles are loaded to GAWR
Glad Hands
Connection between tractor and trailer for air lines
Governor
Device designed to limit the tractor engine maximum speed
GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
ICC Bar
Horizontal bar in rear of trailer designed to minimize under ride
Illuminance
Amount of light falling on a surface, measured in foot candles
Inter modal
Multiple modes of transportation
Jake Brake
Slows the truck by acting on the engine directly and slowing the rpm.
King Pin
Pin at front of trailer used to connect the trailer to the tractor via the fifth wheel
Landing Gear
Legs used to set down the front of the trailer when it is unhooked from the tractor
Low Boy
Low flatbed type trailer used to carry oversized equipment
Luminance
Amount of light reflected by a surface
NHTSA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Photogrammetry
Method, using several photographs, used to measure features seen in the photographs
Pigtail
connection between tractor and trailer electrical lines
PM
Preventive Maintenance
Reefer
Refrigerated trailer
Shock
Refers to effect of impact on filaments in light bulbs when energized or not (hot or cold shock)
Slack Adjuster
Device used to keep brakes in adjustment
Tandems
Set of 2 wheels
T Bone
Collision occurring between 2 vehicles at 90 degrees from each other
Under ride
Submarining action of a vehicle. This occurs when the vehicle under riding the other has a significantly lower bumper
Yard Mule
Vehicle used in yards to move trailers. These vehicles are illegal on public streets
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