Ground vehicles are those vehicle that are supported by the ground, as contrasted with aircraft and marine craft that in operation are supported by fluid including air or water. Ground vehicle maybe broadly clasified as guided and non-guided. Guided ground vehicles are constrained to move along a fixed path (guideway), such as railway vehicles and tracked levitated vehicle. Non-guided ground vehicles can move by choice in various directions on the ground, such as off-road and road vehicles.
In general, the characteristics of a ground vehicle may be described in terms of its performance, handling and ride. Performance characteristics include the ability of the vehicle to accelerate, to develop drawbar pull, to overcome obstacles and to decelerate. Handling qualities of interest are the response of the vehicle to the driver's command and its ability to stabilize its motion againts external disturbances. Ride characteristics are related to the vibration of the vehicle excited by surface irregularities and its effect on passengers and goods. The theory of ground vehicles is concerned with the study of the performance, handling and ride and their relationships with the design of ground vehicles under various operational environments.
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