Katsuhiko Fukui

Handling qualities evaluation method based on actual driver characteristics

The present study proposes an objective handling qualities evaluation method using driver-in-the-loop analysis. The driving simulator experiments were performed for various driving conditions, drivers and vehicle dynamics. The response characteristics of the driver model and the closed-loop system were analyzed. The analysis revealed the driving strategies clearly, indicating the importance of closed-loop analysis. Using the identified driver model and its strategies, a cost function of the handling qualities was constructed. The cost function can be used to estimate the handling qualities analytically from the vehicle dynamics. The proposed method was validated by comparison with the handling qualities evaluation rated by the drivers comments.

Development of a Human Sensitivity Evaluation System for Vehicle Dynamics

Although wide-ranging research to improve vehicle driving stability has been carried out [1, 2], there is still insufficient knowledge about what information from the multiple types of movement that occur during driving is used by vehicle occupants when evaluating driving stability. Moreover, various devices for vehicle dynamics control have recently been developed, thus making it possible to freely control the character of vehicle dynamics. Toyota has developed an analytical system composed of motion and visual devices for evaluating human visual and motion sensitivity to vehicle dynamics.