Safe Stopping Distance

The distance required to bring our vehicle to a complete stop is given by the original formula “s = ut + ½ at2”.

The first part of the expression “ut” is the initial velocity multiplied by the driver reaction time.

If we are traveling at 88 fps and our Driver Reaction Time is 1.2 seconds, then we will travel 1.2 times 88 feet before the brakes are applied. That’s 105.6 feet.

Once the brakes are applied the “½ at2” part of the formula kicks in, and at 88 fps and a braking acceleration of 20 fps/sec, we will travel 193.6 feet in coming to a stop.

Yielding a grand total of 299.2 feet, almost one hundred yards. The length of many football fields.

Road Space Needed For A Vehicle

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