Parallel parking problem

The parallel parking problem is a motion planning problem in control theory and mechanics to determine the path a car must take in order to parallel park into a parking space. The front wheels of a car are permitted to turn, but the rear wheels must stay fixed. When a car is initially adjacent to a parking space, to move into the space it would need to move in a direction perpendicular to the allowed path of motion of the rear wheels. The admissible motions of the car in its configuration space are an example of a nonholonomic system.

See also

• Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics
• Falling cat problem

References

• Batterman, R (2003), "Falling cats, parallel parking, and polarized light" (PDF), Studies In History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies In History and Philosophy of Modern Physics: 527–557 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |Issue= ignored (|issue= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Volume= ignored (|volume= suggested) (help).
• Reeds, J.A.; Shepp, L.A. (1990), "Optimal paths for a car that goes both forwards and backwards" (PDF), Pacific Journal of Mathematics, 145 (2): 367–393.