Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The goal of the project is to develop an integrated design method for Multi-Trailer Articulated Vehicles (MTAVs) with Active Trailer Steering (ATS) systems. MTAVs have poor maneuverability when traveling at low speeds on local roads and city streets. On the other hand, MTAVs exhibit unstable motion modes at high speeds, including roll-over. These unstable modes may lead to fatal accidents. To address the problem of poor maneuverability, 'passive' trailer steering systems have been developed. These systems improve low-speed performance, but exhibit low stability at high speeds. Some active trailer steering systems have been proposed to improve high-speed stability. However, these ATS systems typically degrade maneuverability when applied at low speeds. To tackle this complex trade-off design problem, a systematic design method is proposed. In order to consider the closed-loop dynamic feature of MTAVs' realistic operations, the proposed method incorporates the modeling and simulation of essential vehicle subsystems, including the mechanical assembles, driver, ATS controllers, and typical test maneuvers. With multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO), these strongly coupled subsystems are integrated as a synergistic system and the mechanical vehicle and ATS subsystems are optimized simultaneously. The resulting ATS system will greatly increase safety of MTAVs with two operational control modes, one for improving high-speed stability and the other for enhancing low-speed maneuverability. To validate the resultant design, it will be tested using driver-software-in-the-loop real-time simulations. In collaboration with Genist Systems Inc. (GSI), this method will be applied to the design of a MTAV with ATS systems. The proposed method will be capable of identifying desired design variables and predicting optimal performance envelopes in the early design stages of MTAVs. The project will contribute to the advancement of scientific research in the field of MDO for complex mechatronic systems. The project will also contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel in vehicle design. Finally, this project will result in technology transfer with benefits to GSI and the Canadian society.