Electronic lateral Control of Vehicles

Following a short discussion of the differences, advantages and fields of application of track bounded and individually moving vehicles, a historical survey is given about the activities undertaken to develop “dual-model” vehicles.

The development and use of busses with electronic lateral control based on the use of a pilot cable is described. Due to the high priority of safety special emphasis is laid on:

• the controller, being responsible for a comfortable and safe guidance along the nominal track
• the safety concept to overcome failures in the lateral control system.

The use of laterally controlled busses in Fürth/West Germany during 1985 is described. This includes work to develop switches and crossings necessary to built net-like structures, and future control strategies to improve the trackfollowing- behaviour of vehicles with electronic lateral control.