The papers collected in this publication were presented in the Vehicle Dynamics and Simulation and NHTSA Rollover Propensity Research sessions at the 1992 SAE International Congress and Exposition. They demonstrate the broad range of vehicle dynamics research currently underway to better understand handling, control, lateral stability, and rollover characteristics of cars and light trucks. The first three papers of the Vehicle Dynamics & Simulation Session focus on the experimental measurement of vehicle parameters/properties. The session begins with two papers by Chen, Coovert, and Guenther on the experimental measurement of suspension properties. The first one deals with the design of a new machine for measuring suspension and steering system properties for use in vehicle dynamics simulations while the second paper discusses the use of this machine to measure suspension properties. The third paper by Winkler, Campbell, and Mink shows the amount and causes of laboratory-to-laboratory variability in the experimental measurement of vehicle centre of gravity heights for four laboratories. The last five papers of the Vehicle Dynamics & Simulation Session focus on the development and use of vehicle dynamics simulations. It begins with a paper by Lund and Bernard which looks at the relationship between the complexity of linearized vehicle models and the utility of their predictions. In the next paper, Metz, Dover, Fisher, McCleary, and Shavers use linearized models to try to differentiate vehicle roll dynamic behaviour according to vehicle class. Allen, Rosenthal, Klyde, Owens, and Szostak then describe validation work for two vehicle dynamics simulations that they have developed. One simulation is for cars and light trucks while the other is for all terrain vehicles. In the next paper, Xia and Law use an eight degree-of-freedom vehicle model along with a multiloop driver model to study and compare driver/vehicle performance using open and closed loop four wheel steer control laws with performance obtained using traditional, front wheel only, steering. Finally, Nalecz concludes the Vehicle Dynamics & Simulation Session with a paper describing the capabilities and validation of a simulation that he has developed for cars and light trucks. The papers presented in the NHTSA Rollover Research Session describe work performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and its contractors in support of the January 3, 1992, Rollover Prevention Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Due to publication deadlines, only four of the session's five papers are in this volume. The first paper in this session, by Hinch, Shadle, and Klein, contains an overview of NHTSA's rollover research program. This paper also has an in-depth discussion as to why NHTSA is working on the rollover prevention problem. The next paper, by Chrstos and Guenther, studies techniques for meassuring static rollover metrics. The paper includes a discussion of measurement errors and correlations between static rollover metrics. The next paper, by Klein, which is actually the fourth in this session, correlates static rollover metrics, along with driver demographic data, with single vehicle accident and rollover data. The final paper, by Garrott and Heydinger, describes the computation of vehicle directional response metrics and correlates these metrics with single vehicle accident and rollover data. (A)
Abstract