Comparisonal analysis of manuevering and braking

Žukas, Artūras; Zaranka, Jurijus; Kemzūraitė, Kristina · 2010 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3846/mla.2010.119

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Summary

This study addresses the critical question of whether a driver in an emergency situation can avoid a traffic accident by choosing between hard braking or specific evasive maneuvers. The research is motivated by the need for expert forensic analysis to determine if a collision was avoidable, particularly as modern vehicle safety technologies like ABS and ESP influence driver behavior and vehicle dynamics. The authors aim to provide a theoretical framework for comparing the distances required for braking versus maneuvering under varying road surface conditions and vehicle speeds. The methodology involves deriving and applying mathematical formulas to calculate the total distance traveled during braking and three types of maneuvers: a sharp turn, a turn with a return to the original position, and a lane change. These calculations incorporate variables such as vehicle speed, driver reaction time (0.8–1.2 seconds), steering system response time (0.2 seconds), and friction coefficients for longitudinal and lateral sliding. The study analyzes three specific road surface conditions: dry asphalt (friction coefficient ~0.8), wet asphalt (~0.6), and snowy asphalt (~0.3). Theoretical values for distances were computed for speeds ranging from 10 to 130 km/h, assuming a 3-meter wide lane for maneuvers. The results indicate that the optimal avoidance strategy depends heavily on speed and road friction. On dry asphalt, braking is more effective than maneuvering at speeds below 80 km/h. However, at speeds exceeding 100 km/h, maneuvering requires a shorter distance than braking, making it the more viable option for accident avoidance, provided the maneuver is safe to execute. On wet asphalt, the critical speed threshold where maneuvering becomes superior to braking drops to approximately 70 km/h due to reduced friction. On snowy surfaces, braking is highly ineffective at higher speeds; it is only recommended for speeds up to 50 km/h. Above this threshold, evasive maneuvers are significantly more efficient for avoiding collisions. The significance of this work lies in providing quantitative guidelines for traffic accident reconstruction and driver decision-making. The authors conclude that while theoretical calculations favor maneuvering at high speeds or low-friction surfaces, real-world application must account for additional safety factors, such as road width, traffic intensity, and the presence of pedestrians or oncoming vehicles. The study underscores that braking is not always the safest response, particularly at high velocities or on slippery roads, where lateral control may offer a shorter stopping distance.

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• braking response