Vehicle Escape Dynamics on an Arbitrarily Curved Surface
This paper derives a planar model for a vehicle on an arbitrarily curved surface. The goal is to investigate different strategies that may be used to free a vehicle from a ditch. More specifically, extricating a modern vehicle typically requires someone to get behind the vehicle and assist in pushing it out of the ditch. Due to human limitations in power output, the individual learns to rhythmically time their push, or applied force, to build momentum and achieve escape. Numerical simulations were used to explore different strategies, or forcing functions, on this system. For example, this paper considers forcing the system at its linear natural frequency and a forcing strategy more akin to human behavior. Comparisons are made to determine the safest and most efficient strategy to achieve an escape. This paper will show the effectiveness of human intuition in pushing a vehicle out of a ditch.
