A general rollover index for tripped and un-tripped rollovers on flat and sloped roads

Abstract

In order to develop a rollover prevention system, it is essential to have a reliable index that properly indicates real-time rollover danger during vehicle maneuvers. The existing rollover indices are mainly for un-tripped rollovers and have limitations in detecting tripped rollovers. This study introduces a general rollover index (GRI) for the detection of rollover in both tripped and un-tripped cases and also on flat and sloped roads. Based on the lateral load transfer ratio, the proposed index is analytically derived in terms of measurable vehicle parameters and state variables. The general rollover index considers both lateral and vertical road inputs and thus can indicate tripped rollovers in the instance of curbs, soft soil or bumps. Sensitivity analysis for the proposed index is also provided to evaluate the effects of different vehicle parameters and different state variables on tripped and un-tripped rollovers. The introduced index can be used not only for the development of active rollover prevention systems, but also for rollover analysis and design of vehicles. The performance of the introduced general rollover index is validated through simulations using a high-fidelity CarSim model for a SUV.