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During Phase VI of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Light Vehicle Rollover Research Program, three of the twenty-six light vehicles tested exhibited significant response asymmetries with respect to left versus right steer maneuvers. This paper investigates possible vehicle asymmetric characteristics and unintended inputs that may cause vehicle asymmetric response. An analysis of the field test data, results from suspension and steering parameter measurements, and a summary of a computer simulation study are also given.

This paper presents and analyzes braking test data and braking marks for a sport, sport-touring, and cruiser type motorcycle. The best-effort braking tests were performed using three motorcycles, three riders, and three initial speeds. All tests were performed on dry asphalt, with the exception of one set of runs for a sport touring motorcycle on wet asphalt. Three braking strategies were used; front-brake-only, rear-brake-only, and front-and-rear brakes used together. From these data, engineers can evaluate the following effects on braking performance: rider, speed, pavement condition, braking strategy, and motorcycle type. This paper should also serve to assist the vehicle accident reconstructionist in complementing the existing data on motorcycle braking performance.