1. What is Turn Radius?

The turn radius is the minimum radius of the circular path that a vehicle follows when making a turn. It depends on the vehicle's wheelbase and the steering angle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the turn radius equation:

Where:

• \( R \) — Turn radius (meters)
• \( L \) — Wheelbase (meters)
• \( \delta \) — Steer angle (radians)

Explanation: The equation shows that turn radius decreases with larger steering angles and increases with longer wheelbases.

3. Importance of Turn Radius Calculation

Details: Knowing a vehicle's turn radius is crucial for vehicle design, road design, and determining minimum space requirements for turning maneuvers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wheelbase in meters and steer angle in radians. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does wheelbase affect turn radius?
A: Longer wheelbases result in larger turn radii, making the turning circle wider.

Q2: Why use radians instead of degrees?
A: The trigonometric functions in the equation require angles in radians for accurate calculations.

Q3: What's a typical turn radius for passenger cars?
A: Most passenger cars have a turn radius between 5-7 meters, though this varies by vehicle design.

Q4: Does speed affect turn radius?
A: This simple model doesn't account for speed effects. At higher speeds, additional factors like tire slip angles become important.

Q5: How can I convert degrees to radians?
A: Multiply degrees by π/180 (approximately 0.0174533) to get radians.