[rec.autos] Mathematical Models of Automobile Dynamics

yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu (Brian Yamauchi) (01/16/91)

As part of my thesis research in behavior-based robotics, I'm going to
be building a simulated robot control system for freeway driving, and
I'd like to include reasonable assumptions about automobile dynamics
in the simulator.

In particular, I'm interested in the following functions for typical
automobiles:

	1) Maximum acceleration as a function of speed
	2) Maximum deceleration as a function of speed
	3) Maximum change in heading as a function of speed
	4) Interactions between turning and max acceleration
	5) Interactions between turning and max deceleration

Of course, the actual values will depend on whether you're driving a
Ferrari or a Yugo, but I'm interested in the general shape of the
curve for your average coupe or sedan.

A subject search in our library shows scores of references on
automobile industry & trade, automobile workers & labor unions,
environmental effects of automobiles, social aspects of automobiles,
and even a book of poetry about automobile factories, but nothing
about automobile performance or dynamics.

				Thanks in advance,
--
_______________________________________________________________________________

Brian Yamauchi				University of Rochester
yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu		Computer Science Department
_______________________________________________________________________________

laforce@krypton.arc.nasa.gov (Soren LaForce) (01/17/91)

In article <YAMAUCHI.91Jan15180754@heron.cs.rochester.edu>, yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu (Brian Yamauchi) writes...
> 
>As part of my thesis research in behavior-based robotics, I'm going to
>be building a simulated robot control system for freeway driving, and
>I'd like to include reasonable assumptions about automobile dynamics
>in the simulator.
> 



            stuff deleted



> 
>				Thanks in advance,
>--
>_______________________________________________________________________________
> 
>Brian Yamauchi				University of Rochester
>yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu		Computer Science Department
>_______________________________________________________________________________



Ok, you asked.

The department of transportation (DOT) funds research in a variety of
vehicle properties, i.e. dynamics and the simulation of dynamics.

I have in front of me the final report of DOT contract
number: DOT HS-7-01715.  The report number is: DOT-HS-805-370.  The 
report is titled: Improvement of Mathematical Models for Simulation
of Vehicle Handling (Vol 7: Technical Manual for the General Simulation).

Does this sound like what you need?

The document is available to the U.S. public through the National
Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, 22161

The report is 278 pages.  It is a **RIGOROUS** mathematical model.

I suspect that it is more detailed than what you need.

If you are interested, I may be able to provide a simplistic vehicle
model, i.e. no tire model, and about 1 page of alegbra.  I will have to
make sure it is ok to release information before sending it.

If you are interested, please e-mail me directly at:

      laforce@krypton.arc.nasa.gov

Best,  Soren LaForce

hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath) (01/17/91)

In article <YAMAUCHI.91Jan15180754@heron.cs.rochester.edu> yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu (Brian Yamauchi) writes:
}As part of my thesis research in behavior-based robotics, I'm going to
}be building a simulated robot control system for freeway driving, and
}I'd like to include reasonable assumptions about automobile dynamics
}in the simulator.

There are several insurance companies, and consultants to them, who do
computerized automobile accident simulations to present as evidence in
court cases.  The software is probably proprietary, but they might be
willing to tell you their sources for the information you want.

Sorry, I don't have any specific names.

-- 
The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@ttidca.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp(+)TTI             Illegitimis non
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (213) 450-9111, x2483       Carborundum
Santa Monica, CA  90405 {csun | philabs | psivax}!ttidca!hollombe