Rear-wheel steering (RWS) as we know it today is an idea that has been around for decades. Almost all literature discusses the technology though the conventional use, where the rear steers opposite the front at low speeds and in phase at high speeds. The work in this dissertation explores additional uses and benefits for using RWS.

The first idea explores decoupling yaw motion and lateral motion in order to allow the vehicle to behave with much more freedom than its front steering only counterpart. The handling characteristics are then controlled by a novel model reference concept, a virtual wheel base.

The second use explores how rear-wheel steering can enhance safety features in the vehicle. Rear-wheel steering is coupled with antilock braking and electronic stability control. These concepts show promising results and improvements to the vehicle.

The application of Inertial Force Actuators (IFAs) to vehicle dynamics is investigated. Theseare modeled as translational motors with a small proof mass attached such that forces applied by the actuator to the vehicle result in motion of the proof mass in inertial space. IFAs are shown to provide specific benefits compared to traditional active suspensions, which exhibit deleterious effects on secondary vehicle signals while pursuing their primary objectives. Since IFAs can be high power and generate high force magnitudes, and are constrained only by their internal stroke and force limits, their application is well suited for zero-mean band-limited white noise inputs such as from a vehicle roadway. The suspension control problem is studied with the incorporation of IFAs in cooperation with traditional actuators in order to meet the vehicle objectives hierarchy. Modern and classical control theory investigate the application of IFAs to control various vehicle output signals. High order vehicle simulation models are generated, and used to validate the controlled system.