Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms

Currently, one of the most important challenges facing autonomous vehicles’ development due to varying driving conditions is effective path tracking while considering lateral stability. To address this issue, this study proposes the optimization of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control system...

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Main Authors: Karrar Y. A. Al-bayati, Ali Mahmood, Róbert Szabolcsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Vehicles
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/7/2/50
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author Karrar Y. A. Al-bayati
Ali Mahmood
Róbert Szabolcsi
author_facet Karrar Y. A. Al-bayati
Ali Mahmood
Róbert Szabolcsi
author_sort Karrar Y. A. Al-bayati
collection DOAJ
description Currently, one of the most important challenges facing autonomous vehicles’ development due to varying driving conditions is effective path tracking while considering lateral stability. To address this issue, this study proposes the optimization of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control system by using the genetic algorithm (GA) to support the vehicle in following the predefined path accurately, minimizing the sideslip, and stabilizing the vehicle’s yaw rate. The dynamic system model of the vehicle is represented based on yaw rate angle, lateral speed, and vehicle sideslip angle as the variables of the state space model, with the steering angle as an input parameter. Using the GA to optimize the LQR control by tuning the weighting of the <i>Q</i> and <i>R</i> matrices led to enhancing the system response and minimizing deviation errors via a proposed cost function of GA. The simulation results were obtained using MATLAB/Simulink 2024a, with a representation of a predefined path as a Gaussian path. Under external and internal disturbances, such as road conditions, lateral wind, and actuator delay, the model demonstrates improved tracking performance and reduced sideslip angle and lateral acceleration by adjusting the longitudinal vehicle speed. This work highlights the effectiveness of robust control in addressing path planning, driving stability, and safety in autonomous vehicle systems.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2624-8921
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Vehicles
spelling doaj-art-8f16111ba9294514968942f47c4dc5052025-08-20T03:29:39ZengMDPI AGVehicles2624-89212025-05-01725010.3390/vehicles7020050Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic AlgorithmsKarrar Y. A. Al-bayati0Ali Mahmood1Róbert Szabolcsi2Doctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, 1081 Budapest, HungaryDoctoral School on Safety and Security Sciences, Óbuda University, 1081 Budapest, HungaryKandó Kálmán Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Óbuda University, 1034 Budapest, HungaryCurrently, one of the most important challenges facing autonomous vehicles’ development due to varying driving conditions is effective path tracking while considering lateral stability. To address this issue, this study proposes the optimization of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control system by using the genetic algorithm (GA) to support the vehicle in following the predefined path accurately, minimizing the sideslip, and stabilizing the vehicle’s yaw rate. The dynamic system model of the vehicle is represented based on yaw rate angle, lateral speed, and vehicle sideslip angle as the variables of the state space model, with the steering angle as an input parameter. Using the GA to optimize the LQR control by tuning the weighting of the <i>Q</i> and <i>R</i> matrices led to enhancing the system response and minimizing deviation errors via a proposed cost function of GA. The simulation results were obtained using MATLAB/Simulink 2024a, with a representation of a predefined path as a Gaussian path. Under external and internal disturbances, such as road conditions, lateral wind, and actuator delay, the model demonstrates improved tracking performance and reduced sideslip angle and lateral acceleration by adjusting the longitudinal vehicle speed. This work highlights the effectiveness of robust control in addressing path planning, driving stability, and safety in autonomous vehicle systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/7/2/50path trackingsideslip minimizationyaw rate controlLQR controllergenetic algorithm optimizationvehicle dynamics
spellingShingle Karrar Y. A. Al-bayati
Ali Mahmood
Róbert Szabolcsi
Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
Vehicles
path tracking
sideslip minimization
yaw rate control
LQR controller
genetic algorithm optimization
vehicle dynamics
title Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
title_full Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
title_fullStr Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
title_full_unstemmed Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
title_short Robust Path Tracking Control with Lateral Dynamics Optimization: A Focus on Sideslip Reduction and Yaw Rate Stability Using Linear Quadratic Regulator and Genetic Algorithms
title_sort robust path tracking control with lateral dynamics optimization a focus on sideslip reduction and yaw rate stability using linear quadratic regulator and genetic algorithms
topic path tracking
sideslip minimization
yaw rate control
LQR controller
genetic algorithm optimization
vehicle dynamics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-8921/7/2/50
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AT alimahmood robustpathtrackingcontrolwithlateraldynamicsoptimizationafocusonsideslipreductionandyawratestabilityusinglinearquadraticregulatorandgeneticalgorithms
AT robertszabolcsi robustpathtrackingcontrolwithlateraldynamicsoptimizationafocusonsideslipreductionandyawratestabilityusinglinearquadraticregulatorandgeneticalgorithms