Control and dynamic analysis of two-wheeled road vehicles

The broad purpose of our research is to develop and use mathematical models to study the dynamics of high-performance single-track road vehicles. We aim to continue to develop new classes of general-purpose mathematical models that are in advance of those available in the open literature. Particular features that have been the subject of recent modelling developments include: high-fidelity tyre representations, front and rear suspension models, chain-drives and frame flexibility models. We will use these models to improve the understanding of, and triggering mechanism for, anomalous nonlinear handling and instability phenomena that occur occasionally.

Topics under active investigation include:

• The development of general-purpose high-fidelity computer simulation models that can be used for small-perturbation stability studies, as well as large-perturbation transient simulation work;
• To study and explain circumstances likely to be associated with stability and handling difficulties;
• To use simulation models to discover those aspects of motorcycle design that limit the stability and  handling-responses of high-performance machines;
• To study and develop new steering compensation schemes to replace the steering damper;
• The role of road cambering, and acceleration and braking under cornering, on motorcycle handling and stability;
• Model validation from measured data, and the role of computer modeling in the design of new machines;
• Investigate the vehicle dynamics of a new concept low-mass low-drag motorcycle.