Abstract
Approximately 1000 heavy truck occupants are killed in crashes every year. Most of these occur in accidents involving combination-unit trucks. This report identifies the key vehicle-related factors which play a contributing role in causing those fatalities. They are: rollover and ejection; secondary impacts with cab interior surfaces, especially steering wheels; cab deformation and occupant entrapment; and non-cargo related fires. The report describes research agendas that could be pursued to develop improved: restraint system; methods to attenuate occupant impacts with interior surfaces, especially steering wheels; cabs designed to enhance their structural integrity; and methods of preventing post-crash fires. (Author/publisher)