Speed Management

A1.2.4
Speed Management

 Proper speed management means operating at the

appropriate speed for all road conditions

 That includes taking into account the condition of the

road, visibility, and traffic speed and flow
Speed and Stopping Distance

 There are four factors involved in stopping a vehicle

 Perception distance

 Reaction distance

 Brake Lag distance

 Braking distance
Perception Distance

 Perception distance – the distance a vehicle travels from the time you see a
hazard until your brain recognizes it

 The perception time for an alert driver is approximately ¾ of a second

 At 55 mph, a vehicle travels about 60 feet in ¾ of a second

Reaction Distance

 Reaction distance- the distance a vehicle travels from the time your brain
tells your foot to move from the accelerator, until your foot hits the brake
pedal

 The average driver has a reaction time of ¾ of a second

 At 55 mph, that accounts for another ¾ of a second and another 60 feet

traveled
Brake Lag

 Brake lag distance- when operating a vehicle with air brakes, it takes about ½
second for the mechanical operation to take place
Braking Distance

 Braking Distance- the distance it takes a vehicle to stop once the brakes are
applied.

 Braking distance is affected by weight, length, and speed of the vehicle as

well as road conditions

 A heavy vehicle’s components are designed to work best when a vehicle is

fully loaded

 With good brakes, a heavy vehicle takes about 170 feet and can take 5
seconds to stop
Stopping Distance

 Add all these factors together at 55 mph, it will take between 6 and 7
seconds to stop

 The vehicle will travel about 290 feet or 97 yards

 Higher speeds will significantly increase stopping distance

Speed and Surface Conditions

 Traction is necessary for vehicle control

 The less friction between a vehicles tire and the road, the less traction

 Certain road conditions reduce traction and lower speeds are necessary
Rain

 The first 10 minutes of rain are the slickest

 As rain begins to fall, it mixes with oils on the road surface, causing the oils
to rise to the road’s surface

 Until additional rain breaks down, and washes away the oils, there is a layer
of slippery oil between a vehicle’s tires and the road

 This condition can last from a few minutes to a few hours

 Pavement

 New pavement is more slippery when wet, than old pavement

 New pavement, has a higher concentration of oils

 White foam on the road is an indication of oil and water mixing, a clue that
road surface is slippery
Heavy Rain

 Heavy rain causes water to stand on the roadway and cause a

vehicle to hydroplane

 The faster a vehicle travels on standing water, the greater the

chance of hydroplaning

 This is due to the fact that traction is only present when a

vehicle's tires have contact with the road

 Even a fully loaded tractor-trailer can hydroplane on very little

water

 When it rains, vehicle speeds should be reduced by ¼

Snow
 Snow causes reduced traction and limited visibility

 Slowing down is required for visibility and vehicle control purposes

 A light, powdery snow often blows off the road can cause few
problems

 If there is enough powder to cover the road, it will form a slick,

smooth surface

 A heavier slushy snow can affect vehicle control

 If the snow becomes hard packed, it can cause an ice hazard

Snow

 Vehicle speeds should be reduced by at least ½ in snowy conditions

 Remember, when determining vehicle speed in snowy conditions, you must be

confident that you can safely stop and maneuver based on road conditions

 You are ultimately responsible for the safety of your rig, don’t try to out drive
your experience
Ice

 Water freezes at 32 degrees

 An icy road can present more dangers than a snowy road

 When temperatures are near or below freezing, a driver has to be alert to the
potential for black ice
Ice
 Black ice forms when temperatures drop rapidly and
moisture on the road freezes into a smooth, nearly
invisible, slippery surface

 In black ice conditions, the road appears to be wet, when

actually it is icy

 Check the leading edge of your mirrors for ice

accumulation

 If ice is forming there, it will also be forming on the road

surface

 Watch for the water spraying off other vehicle's tires, if it

stops, it’s icy
Ice

 At the very least, a driver should slow his/her vehicle by ½ in icy conditions

 If the road is slippery, the driver should get off the road as soon as possible

 Shaded potions of the road can remain slippery for a long time after ice on
sunny areas of the road have melted and the pavement is dry

 Slow down on shade-covered road, especially under bridges and overpasses

Ice

 When the temperature drops, bridges can freeze before the roadways

 If slippery conditions are likely, avoid any changes in driving while crossing
the bridge like (acceleration, shifting, or braking)

 Maintain a smooth and steady speed

Curves

 Remember that posted speed limits on curves are designed with cars in mind

 Driving through a curve too fast (at or above posted limits) can cause several
problems to include skidding off the road, or vehicle rollover

 Slow to safe speeds before entering a curve, at least 5 mph below the posted
speed limit

 Slow down as needed, but keep in mind that braking in a curve can be
dangerous
Curves

 It is easier to lock you vehicle’s wheels and cause a skid while in a curve

 Never exceed the posted speed limit in a curve, this can cause a rollover

 Also, be in a gear that will let you accelerated slightly through the curve

 This will help you maintain vehicle control

Ramps

 Exit ramps are usually curved and have posted speed limits

 The posted speed limits are for cars

 Finding the exit speed before leaving the Interstate is very important

 Reduce the posted speed by 5-10 mph lower than the posted speed

 If you cannot see the end of the ramp, reduce the speed by ½
Ramps

 Exit ramps can be one of truck drivers deadliest problems

 Trucks usually will not slide or skid when taking a ramp to fast, they roll over

 Rollovers can be one of the most violent types of accidents you can
experience in a tractor trailer, almost always caused by speed that is too fast
for conditions

 Since the trailer rolls first, the heavier trailer slaps the tractor to the ground
like a whip
Rollovers
Rollovers
Rollovers
Grades

 Gravity and vehicle weight play a part in speed management when driving on
upgrades and down grades

 Upgrades cause your vehicle to work harder to fight the pull of gravity and
maintain speed

 To maintain speed you must place more pressure on the accelerator, and/or
possibly shift to a lower, stronger gear
Grades

 Downgrades cause your vehicle to work with gravity, resulting in an increase

in speed

 Vehicle weight also has an impact on truck speeds going down a grade

 Heavier trucks want to accelerate faster than lighter ones

 You must use care in maintaining a safe and even speed

Speed and Visibility

 should always be able to stop within your field of vision

 You
 In other words, you should be able to stop within the distance you can see
ahead

 When driving at night, or in poor weather conditions (rain, snow, fog, etc.)
you will need to slow down so you can stop your vehicle within your field of
vision
Speed and Traffic Flow

 When driving in heavy traffic, the safest speed is generally the speed of the
other vehicles, you can maintain an adequate following distance and you are
not violating the posted speed limit

 If you are unable to maintain a safe following distance, decrease your speed
3-4 mph less than the flow of traffic
Speeding

 Often drivers believe that exceeding the speed limit can save time

 When operating in traffic, this isn’t always the case

 If you are traveling faster that the flow of traffic, you will have to pass other
vehicles and increase your chance of an accident

 This type of driving will increase you level of fatigue, which can be dangerous

 Go with the flow of traffic when safe and legal to do so

Questions?

 Continue to Speed Management Quiz.

 You must make an 80% to pass.
 Good Luck!
Review

Perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag, and braking distance are the
four factors involved in stopping a vehicle.
 A. True
 B. False

__________ is the distance a vehicle travels from the time you see a hazard until
your brain recognizes it.
 A. Perception distance
 B. Reaction distance
 C. Braking distance
 D. All of the above
Review
________ is the distance a vehicle travels from the time your brain tells your foot
to move from the accelerator until your foot hit the brake pedal.
 A. Perception distance
 B. Reaction distance
 C. Braking distance
 D. All of the above

________ is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.
 A. Perception distance
 B. Reaction distance
 C. Braking distance
 D. All of the above
Review

The more friction between a vehicle’s tires and the road, the less traction.
 A. True
 B. False

A heavy rain that causes water to stand on a road can cause a vehicle to:
 A. Metro-plane
 B. Deplane
 C. Hydroplane
 D. All of the above
Review

You should slow to at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit when entering a
curve.
 A. True
 B. False

You should always be able to stop your vehicle within your field of vision.
 A. True
 B. False
Review

When driving in heavy traffic, it is best to travel at 5 – 10 mph faster that the
surrounding vehicles.
 A. True
 B. False

It is best to go with the flow of traffic when it is safe and legal to do so.
 A. True
 B. False
End Speed Management