Tilt test (vehicle safety test)

The tilt test is a type of safety test that certain government vehicle certification bodies require new vehicle designs to pass before being allowed on the road or rail track.

The test is an assessment of the weight distribution and hence the position of the centre of gravity of the vehicle, and can be carried out in a laden or unladen state, i.e. with or without passengers or freight. The test can be applied to automobiles, trucks, buses and rail vehicles.

The test involves tilting the vehicle in the notional direction of the side of the vehicle, on a movable platform. In order to pass the test, the vehicle must not tip over before a specified angle of tilt is reached by the table.

In the United Kingdom, double-decker buses have to: "be capable of leaning, fully laden on top, at an angle of 28 deg without toppling over before they are allowed on the road."[1]

The same 28-degree requirement is in place in Hong Kong for double-decker buses. For single-deckers the requirement is 35 degrees.[2][3][4][5]

See also

References
  1. Public record of a debate in the UK parliament about a recent coach crash, Column 512 Mr Parkison 05 June 1990
  2. "Vehicle Control" (PDF). Report on Enhancement of Highway Safety (Report). Transport and Housing Bureau. 27 November 2003.
  3. "Legislative Council Panel on Transport: Measures to enhance the safety of franchised bus operation" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council.
  4. "Official Report of Proceedings" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council. 24 November 1982.
  5. "Official Report of Proceedings" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council. 12 November 1986.
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