What happens when a truck uses runaway truck ramp?

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asked Jul 22, 2023 in Safety by Bob2C (2,560 points)
What happens when a truck uses runaway truck ramp?
commented Feb 18 by RachaelCollins (220 points)
It’s pretty wild how the truck just plows into that gravel, and it comes to a stop almost immediately. The whole concept of using something like sand or gravel to help slow down a runaway truck is pretty clever, though I can imagine it would still be a bit nerve-wracking for the driver! I also wanted to add, I’ve come across some container ramps nz https://www.astrolift.co.nz/category/Container-Ramps-and-Shelters on my travels, and it’s interesting how different ramps are designed depending on the landscape. Some of the ones I’ve seen in NZ were really well-built for heavy loads, and it got me thinking that those types of ramps could work well for different kinds of vehicles, not just trucks.

1 Answer

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answered Aug 2, 2023 by Gangass (12,870 points)
When a truck uses a runaway truck ramp the truck hits the sand and gravel and then the tires dig into the sand and gravel and then the runaway truck comes to a stop.

The incline of the runaway truck ramp also helps to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Basically the runaway truck ramp allows the truck to get stuck in the sand like you would on a really sandy road.

Runaway truck ramps stop trucks that have brake failure by use of sand, gravel or even sometimes wire nets.

Most of the runaway truck ramps use arrester beds that are large areas of sand or gravel that the trucks tires dig into and cause it to lose traction and then that is what helps stop the runaway truck.

Truck escape ramps stop out of control big wheeler's by use of arrested beds that are large areas of gravel or sand.

When the big wheeler or semis wheels or wheel hits the gravel or sand the material in the area then moves away from each other which allows the truck or big wheeler to sink into the gaps that helps stop the vehicle.

The big wheeler or semi truck loses traction on the sand and gravel and also the incline helps bring the truck to a stop.

A truck escape ramp is an emergency area located adjacent to a downgrade roadway to provide a location for out-of-control vehicles to slow and stop away from other vehicles on the road.

They are generally located near the middle or the end of long, steep downgrades.

Truck drivers don't reverse down the hill once they're there.

They need a tow, and while the state doesn't fine drivers for using runaway truck ramps, towing companies charge trucking companies to remove the vehicles from the runaway ramps.

By definition, runaway truck escape ramps are designed to be emergency locations that use sand, gravel, or wire nets to slow down a large vehicle quickly in the event of a brake failure.

Most of these ramps make use of arrester beds, which are large areas of sand, or gravel.

There are two types of runaway truck ramps: Gravity ramps: A truck takes the ramp and experiences an uphill grade that naturally will stop it.

Gravel arrester beds: These are on a flat-level grade.

Trucks taking the ramp will run into a bed full of small, round gravel.

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