A. The short answer, yes and yes.
Now the long answer:
- msmac3D, which is based on the hvosm (combined with smac program) has been used extensively in roadway/roadside design evaluations.
For example:
- 1992 "Simulation Models of Vehicle Dynamics", April 1992, Transportation Research Board Circular "Beyond the Green Book".
- 2016: Rollover Analysis: minimum speeds and roll velocity approximation
- 2017: Jaguar E-Pace Rollover Stunt Designed by McHenry with msmac3D
- DEMO Toyoyta PU Roll with 2 speed overlayed in single simulation
- Inputs can be easily approximated and many vehicles in the literature have been measured by (and custom vehicles can be measured by)
- This is not a vehicle dynamics simulation program like CarSim or Dynasim or other nearly finite element type simulation programs which can take weeks to build a model from the ground up having to define each and every component in minute detail.
They are great tools but more for the design process of vehicles.
Vehicle dynamics can be evaluated for example when reconstructing a crash where a vehicle rolls over:
- Once you have matched the evidence you can then evaluate 'what if' type scenarios like:
- what if a vehicle was traveling faster/slower (see video of Toyota Pickup rollover above)
- what if a vehicle had a higher/lower center of gravity height
Some sample research projects where McHenry used msmac3D/hvosm for roadside design and safety issues:
- 1987 "HVOSM-87",SAE 880228
- 1987 "Rollover Potential of Vehicles on Embankments, Sideslopes and other Roadside Features", Deleys, Parada, FHWA/RD-86/164, PB87-212783,
- Executive Summary Report (Proprietary HVOSM program w/extensions and refinements provided by McHenry)
- 1987 "Safety Issues Related to Mini-Cars from a Roadway Perspective", Council, Reinfurt, McHenry,
- 1985 "Safety and Operational Considerations for Design of Rural Highway Curves" ,Glennon, Neuman and Leisch
- HVOSM Sections by McHenrys (DOT-FH-11-9575, PB-86139664/AS); (HVOSM Simulation work and sections in full report written by McHenry & McHenry).
- 1984 "Work Zone Design Considerations for Truck Operations and Pavement/Shoulder Drop-Offs"(draft sections by McHenry),
- Full Report by Graham & Glennon) (DTFH61-80-C00146), February, 1984. (HVOSM simulation work and several sections performed by McHenry)
- 1983 "HVOSM Studies of Highway Centerline Crowns", Contract DOT-FH-11-9575 Glennon, Neuman, McHenry
- 1983 "HVOSM Studies of Highway Cross Slope Design", Contract DOT-FH-11-9575, PB86 114840; Glennon, McHenry, Neuman
- 1983 "Prediction of the Sensitivity of Vehicle Dynamics to Highway Curve Geometrics", January 1983, TRB Record 923, Glennon; Neuman, McHenry