Studies by Vitaliy Grachev focused on maximum vehicle passability achievement

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The territory of our country is located in the area with periodic snow cover. There is a great variance in duration of snow cover, its nature and properties among different regions of the country. The Far North snow cover lasts for 10–11 months. To develop the territory of Siberia, Altai, the Far East and the Far North, as well as to solve the issues of energy, technological and economic security, there is a need for vehicles having high passability or off-road performance in a wide range of driving conditions. Despite intensive road construction and growth of the road network, provision of transport accessibility for the far regions of our country continues to be a relevant and prospective task for the automotive industry. The article considers scientific and practical approaches and results of the studies conducted by the Special Design Bureau of the Automotive Plant n.a. Ivan Likhachev (hereinafter – SDB ZIL) led by Vitaliy Grachev and focused on creation of ultrahigh-passability vehicles.The purpose of the study is to review and to analyze the high-passability and ultrahigh-passability land vehicle designs made based on the studies conducted in the SDB ZIL for severe driving conditions (deep snow, water, swamp, sand, engineering obstacles).Methodology and research methods. The article presents the analysis of the results of scientific and practical experiments in driving vehicles with both conventional – wheels and tracks – and non-conventional – rotary screw, pneumatic roller and other – running gears in different environments, which were obtained using the methods proposed by Vitaliy Grachev.Scientific novelty and results. The article offers solutions, methods and recommendations for selection of optimal types and kinds of running gears for operation under specific off-road conditions, as well as reliable design and engineering solutions proven by practical implementation of successful projects.Practical significance. Restoring the belief in capabilities and potential of the Russian scientific and engineering school by informing the new generation of engineers about the achievements and successful projects by the SDB ZIL led by Vitaliy Grachev related to creation of wheeled vehicles and vehicles with non-conventional running gear types (rotary screw and pneumatic roller tracked running gears) in different environments, as well as about the scientific and practical methods used in their implementation.