Vans are used for transporting cargo as well as people and because of the latter; they differ from trucks which are associated with cargo transportation primarily. The name “van” is a derivative of “caravan” which means a vehicle with a roof used to transport people and their belongings. Urban USA is no stranger to huge vans which are used as car pools or serve the purpose of mini buses, carrying up to fifteen passengers to their destination(s).
It is advised that drivers are well trained in handling the van and also go through the advisory issued by US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research projects have indicated that if a van carries 10 or less passengers towards the front, the chances of accidents are reduced.
Uses of vans
In addition to carrying people back and forth a van is also used to transport equipment around, an application of special interest for some appliance repair companies who need to use heavy machinery for their work. Ambulances, school vans and simple post vans are used to transport patients, children and the posts/ parcels to their appropriate destinations viz., hospitals, schools and post offices respectively. Cargo vans have special cargo barriers to avoid injury to passengers in case of sudden braking in which case, unsecured cargo is likely to hit the people right behind it.
Environmental implications
It is clear that vans are smaller than an average truck, yet larger than a regular car or even an SUV. This makes it only obvious that effluents associated with these vehicles are of a medium range. However, there are stringent limits on pollutants and smoke from these as well, with a set range of parameters being classified as accepted.
Van
