Buses

[Katiebee]

This may seem daft but I worry about it sometimes! I worry that double-decker buses or coaches will topple over when they go round bends! Obviously they don't (as a rule), but why not? Aren't they top-heavy?

[smorodina]

The centre of gravity is low because the body is very light and the chassis and engine at the bottom are pretty heavy. They undergo rigorous tests to make sure that they are stable. I've often wondered how stable they are if the top deck is full and the bottom empty, but I guess that is taken into account. They test them on a skid pan and for stability by tipping them to the side. I don't remember hearing of one tipping over when in service.

[smorodina]

Here's how they test them!http://www.hullwebs.co.uk/co-uk/khct/images/AEC%20
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[Cetti]

You can't imagine how pleased I am to see this Q. When I was a kid there was one very steep bend on a fast stretch of road that the bus drivers loved to take at great speed. Everybody used to hang on for dear life as it hurtled round the corner at a terrifying angle. I believe I was sick once out of sheer terror!

I hope the answers you've been given have helped - they've certainly made me feel better.

[BadlyHungBoy]

Nice Test!

[Katiebee]

Cetti, smorodina's answer had helped a bit, but your recollections have just made things worse!! I now have visions of buses careering around roundabouts on two wheels, with the passengers on the top deck clinging on to the seat backs as their feet are whisked away from under them because of the acute angles! Thank goodness I don't need to use buses anymore these days!

[hertz]

I remember seeing a fairly old bit of film where a London bus (Routemaster type) was put on a tilting table and slowly tipped to see when it started to topple. I believe the angle reached was about 36 degrees from vertical before it went