Method for improving the maneuverability of the steering system for semi-trailer trucks

To enhance road safety in the vicinity of trucks, a method was suggested to decrease the swept path width of a moving tractor–semi-trailer combination. This study examines the movement of a tractor unit paired with a conventional semi-trailer featuring both fixed axles and steerable wheels through a mathematical approach. Simulation analyses were performed on the two types of trucks. The paper explores the impact of swivel-wheel control on the swept path width of a tractor–semi-trailer equipped with steering wheels. The relevance of swept path width is particularly pronounced in scenarios involving trucks operating within constrained spaces, such as logistics and transshipment center parking lots or urban settings. Although traffic-approved trucks comply with basic homologation standards, minimizing swept path width enhances the tractor–semi-trailer’s operational capabilities. Employing the proposed algorithm for steering wheel control offers significant advantages, notably improving road safety and lowering environmental emissions of harmful substances.