Final answer:
Sufficient following distance between a truck and a vehicle ahead is influenced by various factors such as stopping distances, reaction time, and road conditions. Physics principles like aerodynamics play a role when vehicles are in motion, and practice, a gap of 3 to 4 seconds, or several vehicle lengths, is recommended under good conditions, which should be adjusted according to situational demands.
Step-by-step explanation:
When one truck is following another truck or vehicle, a critical aspect of road safety is ensuring sufficient space between them. The ideal space allows for enough time and distance for the following truck to react and stop, if necessary, without causing a collision. This distance is often referred to in terms of 'car lengths' or 'truck lengths' and can be quantified as the distance a driver covers before hitting the brakes, plus the distance the vehicle covers after braking until it comes to a complete stop.
The question of how many vehicles can safely enter between a following truck and the vehicle ahead ties into the stopping distance, which involves the speed of the vehicle, road conditions, and the driver's reaction time. The concept is further illustrated by physics, as seen in Figure 12.4, where aerodynamic effects are considered such as air pressure and the drag effect when vehicles are passing each other on the highway. At higher speeds, like 80 km/h or more, more space is generally required due to increased stopping distances.
For practical purposes, many road safety guidelines suggest a minimum of 3 to 4 seconds of following distance under good conditions, which can translate to several vehicle lengths, depending on speed. However, this is a variable measure, as larger vehicles like trucks require more distance due to their longer stopping distances. Especially in adverse weather conditions or when driving large, heavy vehicles, this following distance should be increased to ensure safety.
To apply these concepts practically, consider that a truck traveling at 80 km/h would cover about 22 meters per second. If it follows another vehicle with a 2-second gap, that would be a distance of approximately 44 meters, roughly equivalent to 10-11 car lengths or 5-6 truck lengths. However, this is the minimum, and drivers are encouraged to adjust the following distances based on vehicle size, road conditions, and speeds.