The behaviour of three coach concepts-standard, highdecker and double-decker coaches-was studied on the basis of the following objective test procedures:
This study shows clear differences in the braking and steering behaviour ofdifferent coach concepts. It also indicatest hat the characteristicsa nd designp hilosophy of one vehicle category cannot be transferred to another without further consideration. In modern coaches, the load-dependent centre of gravity height is an impoftant criterion for prematurely reaching the limits of dynamic vehicle movement.
In one coach concept, a change in the load from 60% to 100% increased the stopping distance by 16% on dry pavement and by 5% on wet pavement. It also reduced possible lateral acceleration during cornering by approx. 20%. Braking on μ-split without ABS resulted in a yaw velocity which was 2.3 to 5 times higher than that of coaches with ABS.