Driving Simulator Studies: The Influence of Vehicle Parameters on Safety in Critical Situations

Earlier VW driving simulator studies showed the relationships among subjective driver judgement, objective parameters and a vehicle parameter TB. The present series of tests was run to determine the effects of the steering ratio i_LK with combinations of this parameter TB. The driving task was more difficult than those in earlier studies: the test subject tried to avoid suddenly appearing obstacles. This made it possible for the test subjects to become involved in critical situations, and for conclusions to be drawn from review of the potential accident sequence, as influenced by the vehicle parameter TB and the steering ratio.

The report then presents examples to illustrate the effects of tire parameters and load parameters on the vehicle parameter TB, in a variety of different vehicles.