Simulation and analysis on handling stability of tractor-semitrailer

Handling stability of a vehicle is one of the most important properties of vehicle safety. Compared to a rigid vehicle, an articulated vehicle such as a tractor-semitrailer is a more complicated dynamic system with coupling effect between the tractor and the semitrailer. Mismatch of system parameters, incorrect design or improper operation may lead to a tractor-semitrailer into instable situations such as jack-knifing, tail-snaking, rollover and sharp-turning. The instability may easily lead to terrible vehicle accidents. In order to analyze the handling stability of a tractor-semitrailer, a dynamic model is established. Based on single lane-change test, the influence of main factors on safety property is analyzed. Research results show that it could improve the handling stability of tractor-semitrailer by reducing the mass of semitrailer, vehicle speed and the distance between tractor centroid and front axle, and by increasing fifth wheel lead and damping coefficient of fifth wheel.