Electronic Stability Control as Standard on Heavy Duty Emergency Vehicles: A Simulation Analysis 2011-01-2151

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) has presented itself to be a rather significant technological advancement in passenger car safety within the last few years. For the commercial vehicle industry, stability systems have been an option available for tractor-semitrailer within the last few years. However, there are axle weight limits imposed on commercial vehicles, unlike emergency vehicles which are allowed to be loaded to the maximum axle weight ratio. With the fact that fire trucks are carrying high CG loads and may typically be travelling at speeds higher than the normal driving speed for a road, one of the recommendations is that stability systems become available as standard in heavy duty emergency vehicles such as firetrucks. This study will analyze several scenarios commonly encountered by emergency vehicles such as firetrucks and demonstrate the benefits of stability systems for heavy duty emergency vehicles.