VDM ROAD USER REFERENCE MANUAL

The main objective of this project was to select among existing vehicle dynamics simulation programs and link them through a common database to commercial roadway CAD programs. The existing TruckSim and AutoSim technologies were selected and extended for this project to create a software package called VDM RoAD (Vehicle Dynamic Models Roadway Analysis and Design). VDM RoAD simulates the vehicle dynamics behavior of cars, trucks, and two-unit combination vehicles (tractor-semitrailers) on 3D road designs. The software runs under Windows 95 and Windows NT and shows results graphically with plots and animations. The software can be used by engineers who are not experts in simulation or even vehicle dynamics. The new software was developed with the intention of adding it to an interactive highway safety design model (IHSDM) that systematically considers safety of roadway and roadside design elements in creating cost-effective highway design alternatives. Although VDM RoAD is designed to work with other parts of the IHSDM, further integration is not recommended because most factors of performance that are of interest to roadway designers do not require vehicle dynamics simulation. This document describes the software architecture and provides instructions to potential users.

• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42357
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • SAYERS, M W
• Publication Date: 1999-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 354 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer aided design; Computer program documentation; Computer programs; Highway design; Simulation; Software packages; Vehicle dynamics
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00796985
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-98-20-2,, HS-042 989,, FHWA-RD-98-169
• Contract Numbers: DTFH61-93-R-00142
• Files: HSL, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 21 2000 12:00AM