Vehicle dynamics and suspension design have been one of the important research topics in automotive engineering in the last six decades, where the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics have been well developed for different classes of road vehicles. Based on the continuously improving understanding of vehicle dynamics, a variety of alternative passive and controlled suspension systems have also been proposed, some of which are being popularly employed in the current vehicle systems. The emerging demand on developing next-generation energy-efficient vehicles with enhanced driving safety and comfort offers viable opportunities for various controlled suspension systems and their integration within the overall vehicle dynamics control. However, it also poses significant challenges on the well-developed fundamental vehicle dynamics as well as the conventional suspension systems.
This special issue on ‘Advanced Suspension Systems and Dynamics for Future Road Vehicles’ compiles most recent research advancements in the suspension design, dynamics and control, for contributing to addressing the challenges associated with the development of future energy-efficient road vehicles. Twenty papers were selected, diversely covering the research topics related to enhanced understanding of fundamental vehicle/suspension dynamics, performance characteristics of passive suspension components and systems, controlled suspensions, and vehicle control system integration. In addition, the editors’ perspectives and a state-of-the-art review article on vehicle dynamics state estimation are also compiled.
The Guest Editors would like to express their sincere appreciation to the considerable contributions of all the authors and reviewers. The Guest Editors would also like to appreciate the kind instructions of Prof. M. Ahmadian and Prof. S. Iwnicki, the Co-Editors of the Journal.