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Recap: A Climate-Resilient Future Is an Equitable, Just Future

On June 8, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center welcomed Dr. Edward R. Carr of Clark University to continue its 2021 thought leadership speaker series, Innovation for a Sustainable, Equitable Transportation System. Dr. Carr is the director of Clark’s International Development, Community, and Environment...

Lateral Protective Device Best Practice Specification

About This Document

This document is intended to be used by (1) public or private medium/heavy-duty truck fleets considering adding lateral protective devices (LPDs), also known as side guards; (2) jurisdictions or customers that require LPDs through policy or procurement; (3) manufacturers...

Truck Lateral Protective Device Technical Overview

About This Document

This technical overview provides safety and operational considerations for truck lateral protective devices. Truck lateral protective devices are devices designed to keep vulnerable road users (VRUs)—pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists—from being run over by a large...

Effects of Side Skirts and Wheel Covers on Heavy Trailers

About This Document

National Research Council Canada Prepared for: Transport Canada Road Safety 275 Stater Sl Ottawa, ON

Prepared by: Jeff Patten, P. Eng. Chelsey Laionde, EIT William Mayda, P. Eng. Gordon Poole, P. Eng.

Technical Report April 5, 2012

Truck Lateral Protective Device (LPD) Resources

Note: the term "side guard" is used colloquially throughout this webpage and related materials, but refers to "lateral protective devices" and not to "underride" guards. 

Truck lateral protective devices are vehicle-based safety devices designed to keep pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists from being run over by a large truck’s rear wheels in a side-impact collision.

The U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s 2020 Reports

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Volpe Center published nearly 60 reports and conference papers in 2020 spanning a breadth of transportation topics that advance U.S. DOT’s priorities: safety, infrastructure, innovation, and accountability.

These reports are housed in the National Transportation Library and are listed below by topic areas. Select the linked report titles to preview and download copies of the U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s 2020 transportation resources.