Practical vehicle mathematical models effective for evaluating handling quality corresponding to various driving conditions

This paper discusses to what extent of vehicle motion can be accurately described, using different grades of mathematical models. It proposes an attempt to systematically identify the minium physical conditions which must be taken into consideration, depending on the subjects for vehicle handling evaluation. More specifically, the steering response characteristics of the vehicle are divided into several areas by a combination of two parameters steering frequency and lateral acceleration levels, and different conditions of vehicle handling evaluation are applied to each of these areas. Then the paper shows that the physical conditions determining the steering response can be clearly indicated according to the appropriate areas and that the vehicle handling quality can be practically derived from its design parameters by a necessary and sufficient mathematical models.