Final beta testing has been completed on StreetWise CADlink for the iOS operating system, so users of the iPad and iPad Mini will now be able to enjoy the world’s only third-party MDC response software for fire departments. Responding to a huge number of requests from Apple enthusiasts, Hangar 14 Solutions, LLC completed development of a dedicated StreetWise client application for one of the most popular tablet operating systems in the world. The initial release will include the progressive features enjoyed by our Android clients, including:

• Instant Incident Notifications
• Tactical Map Views
• Interactive Hydrant Displays
• Preplan Viewing
• Instant Tactical Waypoints
• Unit Location Tracking (AVL)
• Status Buttons

And, just like the existing versions, StreetWise on iOS will NOT depend on Push Notification Services, but will have direct tablet-to-server networking to deliver unparalleled speed, consistency, confirmed communication, and encrypted security. In addition, as with all StreetWise versions, the devices are completely interactive with any other device in the same agency, meaning a department can choose to mix and match devices of different operating systems.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.streetwisecadlink.com.

By Chris Daly

A common question I am often asked is: “How many feet does it take to stop if I am going X miles per hour?”

The answer to this question is, “It depends.” The actual question should be, “What is the total stopping distance of my vehicle at X miles per hour?” Total stopping distance is one of the most important concepts a fire apparatus operator must understand.

Perception and Reaction

Total stopping distance is that distance which takes into account all the steps necessary to bring a moving fire truck to a complete stop. Drivers must understand that this distance is more than just the distance necessary to slow the vehicle down and come to a stop. Total stopping distance also includes the time it takes an operator to see a hazard in the roadway, process this hazard in his brain, and send signals to his arms and legs to press the brake pedal or turn the wheel to avoid a hazard. This part of the process is known as perception and reaction distance.

When discussing perception and reaction distance, it is important for fire apparatus operators to understand speed in terms of feet per second (fps) instead of miles per hour (mph). A speed of 60 mph is equal to 88 fps. So in one second, your vehicle will traverse 88 feet. Stop and think about that. It takes the average person around 1.6 seconds to see, process, and react to a hazard. This means that at 60 mph, it takes you 140 feet just to realize there is a problem up ahead and start pushing your foot down on the brake pedal or turning the wheel. This is your perception and reaction distance.

Calculating perception and reaction distance is actually quite simple:

1. Convert the vehicle’s speed from mph to fps by multiplying the speed in mph by 1.466.
2. 60 mph × 1.466 = 87.96 (88).
3. Multiply the vehicle speed in fps by 1.6 seconds, which is the average reaction time for a sober, daylight driver.
4. 88 fps × 1.6 = 140.8 (140) feet.
5. The reaction distance at 60 mph is 140 feet.

Once an operator has perceived and reacted to the hazard, and his foot starts pressing down on the brake pedal, he is now initiating the braking process. Most drivers aren’t skilled enough or experienced enough to master the art of threshold braking (see “Introduction to Braking Energy,” Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, August 2015). Instead, most drivers tend to lock up their wheels and start skidding. As we’ve discussed in previous articles, once the vehicle starts to skid, the driver has no steering control. The vehicle will skid in a straight line until it comes to a stop or strikes an object-i.e., crashes. If the vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the driver will be able to maintain steering control during the skid; however, the stopping distance will remain relatively the same. (See “Brake Fade and Antilock Brake Options,” October 2015.)

Stopping Distance

Having determined the perception and reaction distance, we must now determine the distance that the vehicle is going to skid-the stopping distance. Before discussing stopping distance, we must first discuss the roadway the operator is driving on. Every roadway has a certain stickiness or, in technical terms, coefficient of friction. This coefficient of friction is a value measured with specialized equipment that gives crash reconstructionists an idea of how sticky the road is. A dry, asphalt road that was recently paved can have a coefficient of friction as high as 0.9. A wet, worn-down road can have a coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less. The r

By Chris Daly

A common question I am often asked is: “How many feet does it take to stop if I am going X miles per hour?”

The answer to this question is, “It depends.” The actual question should be, “What is the total stopping distance of my vehicle at X miles per hour?” Total stopping distance is one of the most important concepts a fire apparatus operator must understand.

Perception and Reaction

Total stopping distance is that distance which takes into account all the steps necessary to bring a moving fire truck to a complete stop. Drivers must understand that this distance is more than just the distance necessary to slow the vehicle down and come to a stop. Total stopping distance also includes the time it takes an operator to see a hazard in the roadway, process this hazard in his brain, and send signals to his arms and legs to press the brake pedal or turn the wheel to avoid a hazard. This part of the process is known as perception and reaction distance.

When discussing perception and reaction distance, it is important for fire apparatus operators to understand speed in terms of feet per second (fps) instead of miles per hour (mph). A speed of 60 mph is equal to 88 fps. So in one second, your vehicle will traverse 88 feet. Stop and think about that. It takes the average person around 1.6 seconds to see, process, and react to a hazard. This means that at 60 mph, it takes you 140 feet just to realize there is a problem up ahead and start pushing your foot down on the brake pedal or turning the wheel. This is your perception and reaction distance.

Calculating perception and reaction distance is actually quite simple:

1. Convert the vehicle’s speed from mph to fps by multiplying the speed in mph by 1.466.
2. 60 mph × 1.466 = 87.96 (88).
3. Multiply the vehicle speed in fps by 1.6 seconds, which is the average reaction time for a sober, daylight driver.
4. 88 fps × 1.6 = 140.8 (140) feet.
5. The reaction distance at 60 mph is 140 feet.

Once an operator has perceived and reacted to the hazard, and his foot starts pressing down on the brake pedal, he is now initiating the braking process. Most drivers aren’t skilled enough or experienced enough to master the art of threshold braking (see “Introduction to Braking Energy,” Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, August 2015). Instead, most drivers tend to lock up their wheels and start skidding. As we’ve discussed in previous articles, once the vehicle starts to skid, the driver has no steering control. The vehicle will skid in a straight line until it comes to a stop or strikes an object-i.e., crashes. If the vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the driver will be able to maintain steering control during the skid; however, the stopping distance will remain relatively the same. (See “Brake Fade and Antilock Brake Options,” October 2015.)

Stopping Distance

Having determined the perception and reaction distance, we must now determine the distance that the vehicle is going to skid-the stopping distance. Before discussing stopping distance, we must first discuss the roadway the operator is driving on. Every roadway has a certain stickiness or, in technical terms, coefficient of friction. This coefficient of friction is a value measured with specialized equipment that gives crash reconstructionists an idea of how sticky the road is. A dry, asphalt road that was recently paved can have a coefficient of friction as high as 0.9. A wet, worn-down road can have a coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less. The r

By Chris Daly

A common question I am often asked is: “How many feet does it take to stop if I am going X miles per hour?”

The answer to this question is, “It depends.” The actual question should be, “What is the total stopping distance of my vehicle at X miles per hour?” Total stopping distance is one of the most important concepts a fire apparatus operator must understand.

Perception and Reaction

Total stopping distance is that distance which takes into account all the steps necessary to bring a moving fire truck to a complete stop. Drivers must understand that this distance is more than just the distance necessary to slow the vehicle down and come to a stop. Total stopping distance also includes the time it takes an operator to see a hazard in the roadway, process this hazard in his brain, and send signals to his arms and legs to press the brake pedal or turn the wheel to avoid a hazard. This part of the process is known as perception and reaction distance.

When discussing perception and reaction distance, it is important for fire apparatus operators to understand speed in terms of feet per second (fps) instead of miles per hour (mph). A speed of 60 mph is equal to 88 fps. So in one second, your vehicle will traverse 88 feet. Stop and think about that. It takes the average person around 1.6 seconds to see, process, and react to a hazard. This means that at 60 mph, it takes you 140 feet just to realize there is a problem up ahead and start pushing your foot down on the brake pedal or turning the wheel. This is your perception and reaction distance.

Calculating perception and reaction distance is actually quite simple:

1. Convert the vehicle’s speed from mph to fps by multiplying the speed in mph by 1.466.
2. 60 mph × 1.466 = 87.96 (88).
3. Multiply the vehicle speed in fps by 1.6 seconds, which is the average reaction time for a sober, daylight driver.
4. 88 fps × 1.6 = 140.8 (140) feet.
5. The reaction distance at 60 mph is 140 feet.

Once an operator has perceived and reacted to the hazard, and his foot starts pressing down on the brake pedal, he is now initiating the braking process. Most drivers aren’t skilled enough or experienced enough to master the art of threshold braking (see “Introduction to Braking Energy,” Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, August 2015). Instead, most drivers tend to lock up their wheels and start skidding. As we’ve discussed in previous articles, once the vehicle starts to skid, the driver has no steering control. The vehicle will skid in a straight line until it comes to a stop or strikes an object-i.e., crashes. If the vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, the driver will be able to maintain steering control during the skid; however, the stopping distance will remain relatively the same. (See “Brake Fade and Antilock Brake Options,” October 2015.)

Stopping Distance

Having determined the perception and reaction distance, we must now determine the distance that the vehicle is going to skid-the stopping distance. Before discussing stopping distance, we must first discuss the roadway the operator is driving on. Every roadway has a certain stickiness or, in technical terms, coefficient of friction. This coefficient of friction is a value measured with specialized equipment that gives crash reconstructionists an idea of how sticky the road is. A dry, asphalt road that was recently paved can have a coefficient of friction as high as 0.9. A wet, worn-down road can have a coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less. The r