University of California Transportation Center

Our roads are crumbling under the weight of buses and heavy truck loads. Although early researchers attributed the pavement damage to a fixed, "static" factor - the vehicle's weight and design - we now know that much of the blame is owed to "dynamic" variables - the interaction between the vehicle's suspension and the road surface. Recent studies show that dynamic force can double, even quadruple, pavement damage. But by equipping trucks and buses with advanced, "semi-active" suspensions, the problem of road wear can be effectively addressed. We are anticipating an up to 20 percent reduction in tire force on pavement surfaces.