Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

The aim of this study, financed, by Transports Québec, was to analyse the handling of a new configuration of trucks with four axles. This configuration is realized by adding a forced steer tag axle to a truck of three axles. To improve the truck handling, the steering tag axle is equipped with a controller. The first step was to develop, simulate and analyze the yaw transient response of a multibody truck-controller model. The second step was an experimental validation of the proposed control law. This was achieved by a series of lane change maneuvers and measurement of the vehicle handling response. The results are encouraging and confirm those obtained by simulation. When the controller is activated, the steering wheel angle is reduced by nearly 50%. Hence, the driver effort is significantly reduced and his comfort is enhanced.

Boumediene Falah, Pierre-Etienne Cotéde