California Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology

In order to provide reliable control algorithms on PATH automated highway system, knowledge of the transient aerodynamic forces is important from the point of the controlla- bility of the platoon and individual vehicles. In a passing maneuver, the platoon members may experience severe aerodynamic forces and yaw moment when another vehicle overtakes. Similar phenomenon can be seen in our daily life as one car passes the other but much more complicated flow field is expected when the interaction involves in a multi-vehicle platoon. It is the purpose of this study to quantify the unsteady aerodynamic forces and moment so as to assure the safety of the system.