Using Vehicle Dynamics Simulation and Metamodels to Evaluate Factors and Mechanisms Affecting Roll Angle: An Initial Assessment

A rollover is defined as any vehicle rotation of 90 degrees or more about a longitudinal or lateral axis, according to NASS CDS. Rollover crashes are still represented highly in terms of frequency and fatalities when compared to other crash categories. Even though there are various vehicular technical innovations that act as a preventative or protective improvement, rollover crashes and subsequent loss of life and injuries are still prevalent in crash statistics. In 2015, rollovers represented 33% of occupant fatalities. Existing research on rollover as it relates to highway safety is often based on crash data analysis. Limited studies have investigated the initiating mechanisms contributing to vehicular propensity to rollover. Hence, there is a gap in knowledge to understand initiation factors that affect rollover events. Herein, vehicle dynamics simulations will be utilized to examine several vehicle rollover crash scenarios. A second aspect of this research is to develop a metamodel of vehicle roll angle as a function of initiation/influencing factors. A total of 282 vehicle rollover scenarios were created and data from the simulations was used to build metamodels. The vehicle rollover scenarios were split up into 16 categories. The surface metamodel, accuracy model, and global sensitivities were analyzed. These models show that for all the categories, speed had the greatest influence on the vehicle’s propensity to roll over. Friction held a greater influence on the deviation from the centerline of the right lane