STUDY OF THE SIDELINE DYNAMICS OF PASSENGER CARS USING NUMERICAL SIMULATION SOFTWARE

Abstract

Vehicle stability during cornering is a critical factor directly affecting traffic safety, particularly at high speeds and under abrupt steering maneuvers. This study investigates the lateral dynamic characteristics of a passenger car during cornering using a simulation-based approach. A multi-degree-of-freedom lateral–yaw dynamics model is developed and coupled with a nonlinear Pacejka tire model to describe tire–road interactions. The model is implemented to simulate representative steering scenarios, including single lane change and double lane change maneuvers. The effects of vehicle speed and steering inputs on key lateral dynamic responses – such as lateral velocity, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, and vehicle trajectory – are analyzed. The simulation results show that increases in vehicle speed and steering severity significantly amplify lateral dynamic responses, leading to larger tire slip angles and wider trajectories; notably, the double lane change maneuver exhibits a more pronounced tendency toward instability. These findings provide a scientific basis for evaluating vehicle handling stability and support the development of driver assistance and stability control systems for passenger cars.