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This paper describes validation work carried out for two vehicle dynamics computer simulation programs. One program, referred to as VDANL (Vehicle Dynamics Analysis NonLinear), is intended to simulate passenger cars, vans and light trucks. The second program simulates All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and is referred to as NLATV (NonLinear ATV). The programs have been checked out and validated for a variety of maneuvering conditions and a broad range of vehicles. The programs run on IBM-PC/MS DOS compatible computers, and numerical methods have been used to give numerically stable solutions with reasonable computational speed over a broad range of maneuvering situations.

Lateral/directional dynamics involve vehicle yawing, rolling and lateral translation motions and dynamic stability concerns directional behavior (i.e. spinout) and rollover. Previous research has considered field test and computer simulation methods and results concerning lateral/directional stability. This paper summarizes measurements and simulation analysis of a wide range of vehicles regarding directional and rollover stability. Directional stability is noted to be strongly influenced by lateral load transfer distribution (LTD) between the front and rear axles LTD influences tire side force saturation properties, and should be set up so that side forces at the rear axle do not saturate before the front axle under hard maneuvering conditions in order to avoid limit oversteer and spinout.