The Influence of the Vehicle Shock Absorber Wearing on the Performance of the Braking System – A Case Study

Abstract

There are over 320 thousand vehicles on Kosovo roads according to the statistical data. The average age of vehicles on Kosovo's road is around 18 years, while the average age of vehicles in the European Union is approximately ten years. An increase in the number of vehicles and their average age can also contribute to a higher number of road accidents. The effect on the active safety of a large number of old vehicles on Kosovo's roads has not yet been properly analyzed or studied by the relevant government authorities. Road accident data indicate that vehicle factor is usually ranked as the third factor causing road accidents after the human and road condition factors. It is estimated that the vehicle's poor technical condition is responsible for 2-5 percent of all traffic accidents in Kosovo. The research attempts to identify the specific vehicle parts whose poor performance is most likely to lead to accidents. Shock absorbers in bad condition have been confirmed in 32% of the 50 vehicles subjected to rigorous testing protocols in 24 Vehicle Technical Control Centers. The overall conclusion from the research is that shock absorbers' poor performance is one of the leading causes of accidents in cases where the vehicle factor is suspected of causing road accidents. Research results have been obtained experimentally by measuring the effect that new and damaged shock absorbers have on vehicle braking performance. The effect has been quantified by analyzing three parameters of the braking system - vehicle deceleration (MFDD), braking time (Tbr), and braking distance (Sf).
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