ISO 26262 C Class Evaluation Method for Motorcycles by Expert Riders Incorporating Technical Knowledge Obtained from Actual Riding Tests

In applying the ISO 26262 controllability classification for motorcycles in actual riding tests, a subjective evaluation by expert riders is considered to be the appropriate approach from the viewpoint of safety. We studied the construction of an expert-rider-based C class evaluation method for motorcycles and developed some evaluation test cases reproducing various hazardous events. We determined that it was necessary to accumulate more evaluation cases for further representative scenarios and that, to avoid variations in such evaluations, a method in which different expert riders can carry out testing following a common understanding had to be devised.

Considering these problems for practical application, this study aimed at establishing an actual riding test method for C class evaluation by expert riders and to develop a deeper understanding of test procedures and management. To this purpose, representative hazards related to electrical/electronic (E/E) system failures particular to motorcycle control characteristics were extracted by referring to the hazard cases of passenger cars and ISO/DIS 26262. C class evaluation tests were conducted on some extracted hazards to obtain comparable class ratings. On the basis of the riders’ comments and discussion, it was confirmed that interpreting a baseline for the C0 rating in each assumed scenario is useful in developing a common rider understanding during subjective evaluations. We organized the resulting technical knowledge set and added it to the existing classification method, creating a C class expert-rider-based evaluation method for motorcycles that can feasibly be used in practice.