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The suspension properties influencing the roll stability of heavy-duty vehicles are identified, and the fundamental mechanics of how they influence rollover are discussed. Test procedures for measuring these suspension properties using a tilt-table device and a cable-actuator setup are also discussed. In addition, results of a sensitivity study using a static rollover computer model are provided which illustrate how changes in each suspension property influence vehicle rollover. Lastly, a method of combining the results of the sensitivity study to determine how the suspension properties together influence vehicle rollover is given. This method allows easy comparison of the overall roll-stability performance of different suspensions.

A quantitative measurement system for evaluating the amount of vision-obscuring splash and spray generated by a vehicle driving over wet pavement was developed and tested. The measurement system utilized a video camera, video I/O board, IBM-XT computer, and custom software to analyze images of spray clouds against a checkerboard background. Several vehicle configurations were tested and the system appeared to give reliable information on the size and density of the spray cloud.