Effects of Passenger and Cargo Loading on a Motor Vehicle's Mass Properties

Vehicles may be loaded with passengers and cargo in varying configurations that affect its mass properties during normal use. Mass properties include Cg location, weight, and mass moments of inertia. The objective of this paper is to develop an approach identifying possible passenger and cargo load configurations and accurately calculate and display their effect on a motor vehicle's mass properties. An approach is presented and discussed. The calculation method accounts for suspension compliance due to passenger and cargo loading. Overall, the approach provides more accurate and useful estimates of a motor vehicle's Cg location and other mass properties. The approach may be of use to vehicle designers, operators, and regulators, providing enhanced access to vehicle parameters which are relevant to motor vehicle safety.