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The
SMV Celebrates 50 Years
By
Sam Custer
OSU
Extension, Darke County
The
Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem celebrates its 50th
Anniversary! This
emblem, recognized for safety around the U.S., was developed in the
Agricultural Engineering Department at The Ohio State University in the
early
60's. In 1963 this emblem was dedicated to the public by the OSU
President
Novice G. Fawcett. Testing was conducted by Ken Harkness, an OSU Ag
Engineer,
and his team of graduate students to determine the best shape and color
for
this roadway safety symbol. A 1/16 scale highway simulator was
constructed to
test human recognition rates of slow moving vehicles with most of the
testing
conducted outside of the Ives Hall Building (no longer standing on OSU
campus).
The
first formal introduction of the SMV emblem was at a safety seminar in
1962,
where Deere and Company took interest in the design and became an avid
promoter. The emblem was adopted by the American Society of
Agricultural
Engineers (ASAE) and in less than 2 years became part of many states'
roadway
legislation. In 1971 the SMV emblem became the first ASAE Standard to
be
adopted as a national standard by the American National Standards
Institute
(ANSI).
Dee
Jepsen, State Agricultural Safety and Health Leader, shares that last
month,
Ohio
hosted the annual conference of the International Society for
Agricultural
Safety and Health - a professional association dedicated to the welfare
of
farmers and ranchers. Besides members from the United States, 7 other
countries
were in attendance. A luncheon speaker featured OSU's own Ted Gastier
(a
faculty emeriti), who was one of the original graduate students on the
design
project. Ted gave an excellent presentation to safety professionals
around the
country who often promote the SMV emblem in their area, but may have
never
known some of the "behind the scenes" tactics used in the development
of the emblem.
It
is with great pride that Ohio can boast the development of this emblem
by OSU
faculty and students. For 50 years, this emblem has been behind
agricultural
equipment and horse-drawn vehicles warning the motoring public of a
Slow Moving
Vehicle!
Just
to review what is required and recommended for agricultural equipment
while
traveling on public roads:
At
all times, a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem is required
Headlights
and taillights are required 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes
before
sunset
Headlights
and taillights are required during day hours if inclement weather
conditions
exist, including fog and rain
Additional
extremity lighting is required on dual-wheeled tractors
Amber
flashers and turn signals are recommended at all times
Ideally
towed implements should have their own reflectors, lights, and an SMV
emblem.
However law requires these items be present when the implement blocks
the
lighting/marking configuration on the tractor.
In
addition to lighting and marking on equipment, other items should be
considered
while traveling on public roads:
Safety
cables or chains should be used in any towing situation.
Lock
tractor brakes together before traveling on public roadways
Wear
seat belt while operating tractors with ROPS
Ohio
law states that only one wagon/implement may be towed behind any
vehicle with
two exceptions:
Towing
with a tractor - More than one wagon/implement may be towed. While no
maximum
is indicated, common sense and safety should play a role in the
decision.
Towing
with a pickup or straight truck -A truck designed by the manufacturer
to carry
a load of not less than 1/2 ton and not more than 2 tons may tow two
wagons/implements.
Use
escort vehicle when possible
Additional
information on lighting and marking of agricultural equipment can be
found on
Ohioline, Factsheet # AEX_598_08 Boosting Visibility of Ag
Equipment http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/pdf/AEX_598_08.pdf
For
more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web
site at www.darke.osu.edu,
the OSU
Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at
937.548.5215.
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