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The advancement of computer systems and simulation modeling tools have enabled control systems designers to reduce the development time and bring active safety system products to market faster. Modern tractor-trailers are becoming increasingly equipped with such active safety systems. More often than not, these tractor-trailers are designed to pull either a single trailer or multiple trailers in operation. One of such multiple trailer combinations are the B-Doubles combination, in which the fifth wheel coupling is located at the rear of the lead, trailer, which is mounted on the rear section located immediately above the lead trailer axles. Although this combination is less susceptible to lateral instability compared with an A-Train combination, it can still have exposure to roll instability. Hence, the application of a trailer roll stability system on the combination vehicle may prove beneficial to the roll stability.

The benefits of roll over prevention (ROP) or even roll over warning systems are obvious: besides potentially saving human lives, goods and vehicles they may save on insurance costs and help educate drivers and promote better driving habits. Various brake system manufacturers offer several ROP systems, but they are all common in one respect, namely that they are hosted by an Electronic Braking System (EBS) system. In general, based on sensory observation, the danger of a particular situation is judged by a central ECU and if necessary, brakes are actuated individually, independent of the driver’s intention, to improve the vehicle’s stability. Although the feature is very attractive, the market seems slow to accept new technologies, particularly in view of the additional price overhead of EBS compared to current ABS braking systems. A better short term low cost solution is to realize an ROP algorithm on common ABS systems for trailers.