A Validation Study of Vehicle Dynamics Simulations for Heavy Truck Handling Maneuvers

This paper deals with the ongoing efforts at The Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) in East Liberty, Ohio in promoting the safe operation of heavy trucks. The associated research evaluated two vehicle dynamics simulations for their accuracy in predicting tractor-trailer handling metrics. The goals of the research were threefold:

1. 1.
   Establish a generic “benchmark” parametric data set for the three-axle truck/two-axle trailer vehicle
2. 2.
   Demonstrate the accuracy of experimental data that was collected for the tractor-trailer vehicle of this study
3. 3.
   Demonstrate the accuracy of two vehicle simulations by comparing their predicted responses to experimentally observed vehicle responses and metrics.