Heavy Truck Splash and Spray Suppression: Near and Long Term Solutions

Truck splash and spray has been thoroughly researched over the past 20-25 years, but only recently (5-7 years) have concerted efforts been made to develop and market products which are both practical in the rugged trucking environment and yet effective at reducing spray. Achievement of these dual objectives is obviously difficult and involves numerous tradeoffs. This paper describes the mechanisms involved in generating vision obscuring spray and relates them to vehicle design considerations. It describes an assortment of vehicle design modifications and component additions which can be made to the present generation of truck designs to materially reduce their spray generation properties. It also outlines points to consider as the next generation of more aerodynamically-shaped, fuel efficient trucks are being designed.