Advertisement - How does a driver handle an automobile? [General Motors Research Laboratories]

What combination of directional control characteristics is best used by the driver? At least 27 interacting design parameters ... inertias, masses, mass distributions, wheelbase, tire design, steering ratio, roll centers ... affect the directional control of a car. Fortunately, our researchers have developed equations to approximate these in a simplified mathematical model and have successfully described responses of many distinctly different vehicle configurations by this technique. Using this information, GM Research engineers and psychologists are studying driver responses with the aid of a car having variable stability and control.