Refinement and Application of Open-Loop Limit-Maneuver Response Methods

An open-loop limit-maneuver test methodology was refined from an earlier study which hypothesized a relationship between vehicle performance and highway safety. Refinements in methodology were attained in the areas of test apparatus, test procedure, data processing, and performance interpretation.

Open-loop response measurements were conducted on a representative sample of 12 contemporary passenger vehicles. Numeric characterizations of performance are presented, indicating the range and distribution of response properties exhibited by the vehicle sample.