A Study of the Effect of Various Vehicle Properties on Rollover Propensity

This paper investigates the effect of various vehicle parameters on rollover propensity using computer simulation. The computer simulation’s accuracy is verified by comparing it to experimental data from NHTSA’s Phase IV testing on rollover of passenger vehicles. The vehicle model used in the simulation study considers the non-linear, transient dynamics of both yaw and roll motion. The vehicle model is subjected to a specific steering input defined by NHTSA, the Fishhook 1a. A correlation between the vehicle parameter of center of gravity location and rollover propensity is found using the validated vehicle simulation.