1993 Volume 55 Issue 1 Pages 13-21
In order to interpret the handling characteristics of a tractor-trailer combination, human operator describing functions, based on kinematics and classical control theory, are proposed. Linearized vehicle equations representing the relationship between the steering angle and other state variables, are introduced. Using these equations, the behaviour of the operator-vehicle system, from the standpoint of control engineering and under a lane change situation, is investigated through computer simulation. The results are compared with experimental data taken from several people operating a tractor-trailer combination. The way a man operates a tractor-trailer combination is thereby clarified.
