Investigation of vehicle stability on road curves in winter conditions

The paper reveals peculiarities of a vehicle movement/operation on road curves when the road surface is slippery and/or snowy, with asphalt ruts. The survey of scientific works related to the lateral acceleration and movement dynamics of a vehicle is presented. Field experiments with different vehicles were carried out in winter conditions. The acceleration value and stability parameters depending on the speed of a vehicle and adhesion coefficient on road curves are analysed. Dependence of the vehicle lateral acceleration on road curves with various adhesion surfaces are given in graphical charts. Recommendations how to improve road safety by limitation of the speed in winter conditions are formulated. Finally, basic conclusions are given. Handling the vehicle on the road with the compressed snow surface (on the curve of the radius of 120 m) is much more dangerous when the adhesion coefficient of the wheels and the road is low if compared to handling the vehicle along the dry ruts at the same speed. When the vehicle moves along the curve of 120 m radius at a speed of 70 km/h, and the road surface is snowy, the lateral acceleration of 3.1 m/s2 is reached. The paper indicates that lateral acceleration of 3.1 m/s2 can be reached while moving along the snowy road with dry ruts at a speed higher in 27% (90 km/h). For improving the vehicle safety, it is recommended to have road signs on sharp turns/curves (R less than 120 m) to decrease the vehicle speed in 20 km/h