Clearance is the distance between rear of leading vehicle and front of following vehicle. Which choice reflects this definition?

Clearance is the distance between rear of leading vehicle and front of following vehicle. Which choice reflects this definition?

• A. Distance between the rear of the following vehicle and the front of the leading vehicle
• B. Distance between the front of the leading vehicle and the rear of the following vehicle
• C. Distance between the rear of the leading vehicle and the front of the following vehicle
• D. Time gap between vehicles

Answer: (C)

Clearance is the space that separates two vehicles, measured from the rear bumper of the car in front to the front bumper of the car behind. This gap is the actual empty distance you have to stop or maneuver, independent of the cars’ lengths. The description that matches this is the distance from the rear of the leading vehicle to the front of the following vehicle. Measuring from the rear of the following to the front of the leading would mix up the ends involved and isn’t how clearance is defined. A time gap describes how long it would take to reach the same point at current speed, which is a different concept (headway) and not the physical distance between vehicles.

Clearance is the space that separates two vehicles, measured from the rear bumper of the car in front to the front bumper of the car behind. This gap is the actual empty distance you have to stop or maneuver, independent of the cars’ lengths. The description that matches this is the distance from the rear of the leading vehicle to the front of the following vehicle. Measuring from the rear of the following to the front of the leading would mix up the ends involved and isn’t how clearance is defined. A time gap describes how long it would take to reach the same point at current speed, which is a different concept (headway) and not the physical distance between vehicles.