F

 

 

FABRICATED ROOF

Refers to the completed assembly of the roof inner and outer panels, which is made in  the fabrication plant.

 

FABRICATED SIDE FRAME

Type of body frame around door  and side window openings made from large stampings rather than an assembly of parts, which is used in small cars.

 

FABRICATION IN TRANSIT

The stopping of steel products at a point located between the points of origin and destination for further process of manufacture.  For example, steel beams to be fabricated as bridge girders.

 

FACING MOVEMENT

The movement of a train over the points of a switch which face in the direction of opposite to that end which the train is moving.

 

FACT

Information that corresponds to reality.

 

FACTOR

Any circumstance contributing to a result without which the result could not have occurred; an element which is necessary to produce the result, but not, by itself, sufficient; operational factor; condition factors.


Factory Setting
Setup format containing the factory default values for ProDriver. ( Detroit )

FAIRING
A windscreen attached to the frame or fork assembly on the front of a motorcycle.

FALL

A downward and onward movement in the air under the force of gravity after forward momentum carries an object beyond its supporting surface, rotation during a fall is gradual and the object usually lands right side up.

Fan On Time
Total Fan On Time is accumulated when either one (or both) of the digital fan outputs or the PWM fan output is active. Total Fan On Time is comprised of Fan Time (Engine). Fan Time (Manual) and Fan Time (Air Conditioning). ( Detroit )

Fan Time
Time accumulated when the fan was active because the (Air conditioning) air conditioning system triggered activation. ( Detroit )

Fan Time (Engine)
Time accumulated when the fan was active because the engine triggered activation. ( Detroit )

Fan Time (Manual)
Time accumulated when the fan was active because the operator used the manual switch. ( Detroit )

FASCIA

A styled elastomeric front or rear body panel which usually includes the bumper and/or grille details.

 

FASTBACK

A roofline that slopes directly down toward or to the rear bumper of a vehicle.

 

FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC

An accident in which at least one person dies within thirty days of the accident as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

 

FATALLY INJURED

A death caused by injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident and which occurs within 30 days of the accident.

 

FATIGUE

In referring to human activity, fatigue is the reduction in muscular and mental capability owing to prolonged or strenuous mental or physical activity.  In referring to the strength of metals, fatigue is the deterioration of the metallic structure owing to repeated loading.

 

FEA

Finite Element Structural Analysis

 

FEEDING IN TRANSIT

The stopping of shipments of livestock, etc, at a point located between the points of origin and destination to be fed and watered.

 

FEMUR LOAD

The force transmitted axially through the upper leg.

 

FENDER VAULT

The kinematics of the impacted pedestrian where the pedestrian is positioned near either side of the vehicle at impact, the torso and head pivot toward the hood, and the torso and head fall off the side of the fender.

 

FESM

Front End Sheet Metal.

 

FIBERGLASS

1. Mole - a mold is generally the female taken from the original clay model. 2. Cast - a cast is the male reproduction made from such female molds. 3. Model - a model made with body panels, bumpers, etc., made of glass-fibered plastic.

 

FIELD SKETCH

A freehand map of the scene or site of an accident showing certain features of the accident or road configuration, usually for the purpose of recording measurements.

 

FIFTH WHEEL

The fifth wheel is the flat circular disk at the point on the tractor of a tractor-trailer combination at which the trailer hitch is secured.  This disk supports the weight of the front of the trailer

 

FILLET

Curved surface used to blend two intersecting planes.

 

FINAL POSITION

The exact location of a vehicle or body after a traffic accident

 

FINAL VELOCITY

(vf): The velocity at the conclusion of an event or sequence  of events.

 

FIRST CONTACT POINT

(FCP):  The exact point on a vehicle, pedestrian or other object touched in a collision or the place on the road or ground closest to the first contact between colliding objects.  Sometimes referred to as Point of Impact (POI).

 

FIRST HARMFUL EVENT

The first occurrence in a traffic accident that results in appreciable damage or injury; the occurrence determining the time and place of the accident; usually the first contact in impact. 

 

FISH HOOK

A spear or arrowhead-shaped ending to a decorative molding or paint stripe.

 

FISH PLATE

Plate attached to web of frame running along frame length for the purpose of reinforcement.

 

FIVE POINT RESTRAINT

A lap belt, two shoulder belts, and a crotch strap.

 

FIXED COLLISION BARRIER

Filed collision barrier means a flat, vertical unyielding surface with the following characteristics:  (1)  The surface is sufficiently large that when struck by a tested vehicle, no portion of the vehicle projects or passes beyond the surface.  (2)  The approach is a horizontal surface that is large enough for the vehicle to attain a stable attitude turning its approach to the barrier, that does not restrict vehicle motion during impact.  (3)  When struck by a vehicle, the surface and its supporting structure absorb no significant portion of the vehicle's kinetic energy, so that a performance requirement described in terms of impact with a  collision barrier must be met no matter how small an amount of energy is absorbed by the barrier.

 

FIXED CONTROL

That mode of vehicle control wherein the position of some point in the steering system (front wheels, Pitman arm, steering wheel) is held fixed.  This is a special case of position control.

 

FIXED SIGNAL

A signal of fixed location indicating a condition affecting the movement of a train or engine.

 

FLAG

A brakeman sent out to protect the rear of a train making an unscheduled stop; also an assumed name.

 

FLAG STATION

A station at which trains only stop when signaled.

 

FLAME ARRESTER

Grid or closely spaced metal louvers which permit air to flow into carburetor but quenches any flame backfiring from engine.

 

FLAMMABLE

Commodity which cn easily be ignited.

FLANGE

1 A rib or rim that provides strength, guidance or a means of attachment to another object.  2) Car Wheel Flange - A projecting edge or rim on the circumference of the wheel to keep it on the rail.

 

FLANGE YOKE

Yoke with circular flange matching end yoke on driveshaft to make a universal joint.

 

FLAT CAR

An open car without sides, ends or top, used principally for hauling lumber, stone, heavy machinery, etc.

 

FLAT TIRE MARK

A scuff mark made by an over deflected tire; a mark made by a tire which is seriously under inflated or overloaded.

 

FLAT TIRE RADIUS

The distance from the spin axis to the road surface of a loaded tire on a specified rim at zero inflation.

 

FLAT WHEEL

A car wheel that has flat spots on the tread.


Fleet Goal
User entered fleet fuel economy goal. ( Detroit )

Fleet Idle Goal
User entered fleet idle goal in percent of Trip Time ( Detroit )

Fleet Name
Fleet identification entered using the Preferences Menu. ( Detroit )

Fleet Time Zone
The Fleet Time Zone is the time zone of the analysis PC for the fleet, expressed as the number of hours offset from Greenwich Mean Time. For example, Eastern Standard Time is expressed as -5 hr. This time is used on the reports. It is set during installation and can be reset after installation through the Tools, Options menu. ( Detroit )

FLIP

A sudden upward and onward movement off the ground when an object's horizontal movement is obstructed below its center of mass by an obstacle on the surface supporting the object.  Rotation during a flip is rapid and the object usually land upside down.  Sometimes called vault.

 

FLOAT BRIDGE

A bridge connecting car floats with rail landings.

 

FLOATAGE

1) The floating or transfer of railroad cars across water. 2) Also the charge for such service.

 

FLOATING LOAD

A load in which the lading is prepared as a unit space between unit and ends of car and end blocking omitted.  The lengthwise movement of the lading over the floor of the car permits the dissipating of impact shocks.

 

FLOATING MAINSHAFT

A heavy-duty central shaft and several gears that turn freely when not engaged. It can move to allow for equalization of the loading on the countershafts. When engaged, the floating main shaft transfers torque evenly through its gears to the rest of the transmission and ultimately to the rear axle.

 

FLOOR BOARDS

Footrest area for the motorcycle operator or passenger mounted in lieu of footpegs.

 

FLOTATION

Ability to float generally referring to large low-pressure tires.

 

FLO-THRU VENTILATION

Type of body ventilation where air enters at the front of the passenger compartment and exits at the rear.

 

FLUSH  GLASS

Refers to window opening design where the plane of the glass is nearly the same as the plane of the body surface.

 

FLYING SWITCH OR DROP

Switching technique in which cars are cut off from behind a moving locomotive and the switch opened after the engine has passed.

 

FMA

Failure Mode Analysis

 

FMEA

(Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) is an analytical technique which used the potential failure modes of a design/process and the causes to prioritize improvement opportunities.

 

FMVSS

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

 

FOG LINE

The solid white or yellow line that separates the driving lanes from the shoulder area of the highway.

 

FOIL WELD

Method of welding light-gauge panels using disc welding electrodes and a thin-gauge "foil" capping the joint to provide filler material.

 

FOILED BRIGHT SURFACE

Bright aluminum foil applied over clay to simulate chrome-plated areas.

 

FOOT BRAKE VALVE

Valve controlling the air pressure delivered to or released from the axle brake chambers.

 

FOOTMAN'S LOOP

A swiveling, snap fit loop on top of the head restraint which guides the shoulder belt.

 

FOOT-POUND

A foot-pound is a unit of measurement of work.  It is equal to the work done by an applied force of one pound when it moves a mass through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force.

 

FOOTPRINT

The portion of the tread that is in contact with the ground.

 

FORCE

(f): A push or pull on a body - a vector quantity.

 

FORCE CONTROL

That mode of vehicle control wherein inputs or restraints are placed upon the steering system in the form of forces, independent of the displacement required.

 

FORCE LINE

The force line is the direction of the resultant force, which produces damage to the subject vehicle.

 

FORCED VIBRATION

Forced vibration of a system is vibration during which variable forces outside the system determine the period of the vibration.

 

FOREIGN CAR OR TRAILER

A car or trailer belonging to a carrier other than that by which it is being operated.

 

FORK

Attached to the steering head of the frame, the fork connects the frame with the front axle by means of a set of tubes that straddle the front wheel. The fork can be rigid or telescopic, with spring movement and damping action built into each tube.

 

FORK TUBE

The upper fork component that connects the triple clamp above and the slider tube below.

 

FORWARD FACING

A seat that is oriented so that its occupants faces the front of the vehicle.

 

FORWARD PROJECTION

The kinematics of the impacted pedestrian where the pedestrian hits the front face of the vehicle.  This typically occurs when the vehicle is braking prior to impact, with full face vehicles such as cabover semi trucks, or with small children.

 

FORWARD VELOCITY

forward velocity  of a point in the vehicle is the component of the vector velocity perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the road plane.

 

FOUR STROKE CYCLE

The four piston strokes of intake, compression, power and exhaust.  An engine with such a cycle is also called a four-cycle or four-stroke engine.

 

FOUR-WHEELER

Reference to two-axle truck.

 

4-P FPV

Production Process Prove-Out Program Financial Planning Volume

 

fpsps

Feet per second per second - the English unit of acceleration or deceleration.

 

FRAME

The structure of a motorcycle that supports the engine and occupants and provides attachment points for the rear wheel and steering.

 

FREE CONTROL

That mode of vehicle control wherein no restraints are placed upon the steering system.  This is a special case of force control.

 

FREE PLAY

(Steering system)  Free play is the motion of a point on the periphery of the steering wheel between perceptible tire motion to the left and perceptible tire motion to the right.

 

FREE TIME

The time allowed by the carriers for the loading or unloading of freight after which demurrage or detention charges will accrue.

 

FREE VIBRATION

Free Vibration of a system is the vibration during which no variable force is externally applied to the system.

 

FREE-ROLLING TIRE

A loaded rolling tire operated without application of driving or braking torque.

 

FREIGHT AGENT

Carrier representatives with the public who prices services performed based on approved tariffs.

 

FREIGHT BILL

Statement given customer of charges for transportation.  Information is taken from way bill.

 

FREIGHT CHARGE

The charge assessed for transporting freight.

 

FREIGHT CLAIM

A demand upon a carrier for the payment of overcharged, loss or damaged sustained by shipper or consignee.

 

FREIGHT FORWARDER

A person engaged in the business of shipping and distributing less than car / trailer load freight.

 

FREIGHT HOUSE

The station facility of a transportation line for receiving and delivering freight.

 

FREQUENCY

Frequency of vibration is the number of periods occurring in unit time.

 

FREQUENCY RATIO

The ratio of exciting frequency to the natural frequency.

 

FRICTION

Friction is the resistance to motion caused by contact between two bodies. If two bodies are in contact, there is not any friction between them unless an attempt is made to move the bodies relative to one another  then a friction force develops between them which tends to impede the motion.  The impediment to the motion may have two forms:    1.  The motion may be completely prevented because the friction force prevents all motion.     2.  The bodies may slide relative to one another, but the friction force acts to oppose the motion, even though the friction force is not terse enough to stop the motion.

 

FRICTION FORCE

Friction force is the force between two bodies in contact which tends to oppose the relative motion of the bodies;  (f):  A tangential force opposing the sliding of one surface across an adjacent surface.

 

FRICTION MARK

A tire mark made when a slipping or sliding tire rubs the road or other surface

 

FRISKET KNIFE

Knife with a razor-sharp blade, used for detail work or to cut cardboard and paper. Originally designed to cut frisket (masking) paper.

 

FROG

1) A track structure used at the intersection of two running rails to provide support for wheels and passageways for their flanges, thus permitting wheels on either rail to cross to the other. 2) An implement for rerailing car wheels.

 

FRONT BODY HINGE PILLAR

A structural member on which the front door is hung.

 

FRONT END BAR FIXTURE

Fixture is used to locate front end shroud upper in body frame.

 

FRONT PASSENGERS ACRS

An air cushion restraint system used to protect both the center and the right front seat occupants in a vehicle crash.

 

FRONTAGE ROAD

A roadway continuous to and generally paralleling an expressway.  Freeway, parkway, or through street so designed so as to intercept, collect and distribute traffic designating to cross, enter, or leave such facility and to furnish access to property which other wise would be isolated as a result of the controlled access features.

 

FUEL FILTER

Filtering or screening device for cleaning the engine fuel.


Fuel Consumption
Trip Fuel divided by Trip Time. ( Detroit )

Fuel Economy
Trip Distance divided by Trip Fuel. ( Detroit )

Fuel Pressure
Pressure of the fuel measured after the secondary fuel filter. The sensor is only on certain engine models. ( Detroit )

FULL IMPACT

An impact in which motion momentarily ceases between some areas of the colliding objects while they are in contact with each other.  If the colliding objects do not separate after collision, the impact is complete.

 

FULL INVESTIGATION

Any collision investigated by the team in which the team investigations report will be the original report.

 

FULL SERVICE APPLICATION

An application of the brakes resulting from a reduction in brake pipe pressure at a service rate until maximum brake cylinder pressure is developed.

 

FULL-FLOATING AXLE

Axle shaft which transmits torque only and carries no vehicle load.

 

FURROW

A ditch dug by a tire, wheel, or body part sliding in a dirt or loose material surface.

 

FURROW IN

A deep depression at the end of a furrow where a tire or other part of a vehicle stopped sliding.  A "furrow in" often marks the beginning of a flip or roll.

 

FUSEE

A red flare used for flagging purposes.

 

FWD

(Front-wheel drive) Engine and drive axle mounted at front end of chassis. (Not to be confused with four-wheel drive: 4WD)

 

References

Detroit Diesel

Caterpillar User's Manual