Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

Container (Shipping Container) Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Bobtail Tractor Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck. Bogie (also spelled bogey) Assembly of two or more axles, usually a pair in tandem. Brake Horsepower (bhp) Engine horsepower rating as determined by brake dynamometer testing. (see Horsepower) LTL Carrier company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle. Tandem Axle (Tandems) Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. Semitrailer trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or dolly. Hazmat Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Sliding Tandem (Slider) Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel. Dead-Heading Operating a truck without cargo. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Maximum weight an axle is rated to carry by the manufacturer. Includes both the weight of the axle and the portion of a vehicle's weight carried by the axle. TOFC (Trailer On Flatcar) Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semitrailers on railroad flat cars.

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	Did You Know?
	Raising The Number Of Driving Hours Save Lives. The longer off-duty time allows drivers to have more regular schedules and increases the potential for quality sleep. This is consistent with fatigue- and sleep-related studies considered in development of the rule that indicate the amount and quality of sleep a person receives has a strong influence on alertness.