A Method for Reducing On-Road Rollovers -- Anti-Rollover Braking

There are some passenger vehicles that can roll over on flat dry pavement due to steering alone. A conservative estimate gives over 900 deaths caused by on-road rollovers of vehicles in the USA for the year 1996. These vehicles roll over because the forces the tires produce in the sideways (lateral) direction are strong enough to roll the vehicle over.

A method called Anti-Rollover Braking (ARB™) for preventing on-road rollovers of these vehicles is presented. ARB™ works by sensing impending rollover and then applying the front brakes. This simultaneously straightens the vehicle in its turn, reduces the lateral forces that cause rollover, and slows the vehicle. ARB™ causes the vehicle to take the sharpest turn possible without it rolling over. After a short distance, the vehicle can turn more sharply than without ARB™ because of the reduction in speed. The driver maintains control of the vehicle at all times.

This method is described and its efficacy supported by computer simulation of an actual vehicle with and without Anti-Rollover Braking.