A simulation study of human sensory dynamics and driver-vehicle response

Abstract

In previous work a driver model with visual and vestibular sensory dynamics was developed, identified and validated, using data from moving-base driving simulator experiments. In the present paper the predictions, applications and limitations of the driver model are explored through a series of simulations. The aim is to address as yet unanswered questions about the role of visual and vestibular sensory dynamics in the driver-vehicle system. The visual system is found to be the dominant sensory system, with the influence of vestibular measurements increasing with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. State perception errors increase significantly with the proportion of random disturbances on the vehicle. The driver's simulated control performance is unchanged with signal amplitude above perception threshold levels, although it is slightly affected by high-pass filtering of the physical motion such as might be experienced in a driving simulator. The sensory driver model led to a significantly different optimum value of vehicle centre of mass position compared to that obtained using an idealised driver model. The results motivate the adoption of sensory driver models in a vehicle design setting. Further work could be undertaken to improve the sensorimotor noise model.