A novel tracking control method for the distributed-drive and active-steering articulated virtual rail train

To realize the running control of distributed-drive and active-steering articulated virtual rail trains travelling on urban roads under non-contact virtual rail constraints, target trajectory generation and active-steering control are crucial issues. In this article, a novel tracking control method is proposed, which includes a dynamic target trajectory generation and a new active-steering tracking control system. First, a distributed-drive and active-steering articulated virtual rail train kinematics model with n-sections is derived, and then a new target trajectory generation method is proposed using data filtering and compression, coordinate transformation and spline difference, and the simulation comparison shows that the proposed method has less data storage space and high computational efficiency. Second, a new active-steering tracking control system composed of a rear axle preview active-steering controller, a front axle coordinated steering controller, and a differential-distribution controller is designed to achieve tracking control and coordinated movement of distributed-drive and active-steering articulated virtual rail train. Finally, a distributed-drive and active-steering articulated virtual rail train simulation model was constructed in ADAMS, and then simulations are performed under three rail conditions and compared with the other two methods, which show that the proposed method has good tracking control accuracy, adaptability, and superiority under various rails and different speeds.