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Correlation of Driver Confidence and Dynamic Measurements and the Effect of 4WD
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English
Abstract
Engineers understand the advantages of four wheel drive on low coefficient of friction surfaces. The advantages of four wheel drive for other surfaces and for handling and stability are not well documented. When surveyed, customers tell us that four wheel drive feels safer for every road condition including dry road. The object of this paper is to determine what factors contribute to the driver's feeling of safety and how different drive systems affect driver confidence.
We tested three different drive systems; front wheel drive, front wheel drive with traction control, and four wheel drive. Acceleration, steering angle, and yaw velocity were measured for these vehicles on a wide variety of road surfaces. Subjective ratings of stability were made by professional test drivers and average drivers. Acceleration and handling tests on various surfaces were also measured.
A correlation was found between driver ratings and measured parameters. Improved damping in yaw velocity had the strongest effect in improving driver rating in handling and stability tests.
We also found differences in drive systems. Four wheel drive was found to improve performance in every road condition. Front wheel drive with traction control was found to improve performance in some conditions but has a small effect on dry roads. We found that traction control improves the performance of average drivers but not trained test drivers. Four wheel drive improved performance of all drivers.
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Citation
Kubota, M., Ushijima, T., and Brown, J., "Correlation of Driver Confidence and Dynamic Measurements and the Effect of 4WD," SAE Technical Paper 950972, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/950972.Also In
Human Factors in Vehicle Design: Lighting, Seating, and Advanced Electronics
Number: SP-1088; Published: 1995-02-01
Number: SP-1088; Published: 1995-02-01
References
- Oobayashi S. et al. “Characteristics of Maneuverability of 4WD Vehicle” Journal of JSAE 39 1985 260 265
- Kubota M. et al. “Maneuverability and New Suspension for Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles” 10th ESV Conference England July 1985
- Ikeda S. et al. “Trend of Traction Control Systems” Journal of JSAE 42 3 1988 336 341
- Ise K. et al. “the ‘Lexus’ Traction Control (TRAC) System” SAE Paper 900212
- Ito M. et al. “The Present and Future Trends of Traction Control System” Journal of JSAE 46 2 1992 32 37