A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE VEHICLE HANDLING BEHAVIOR

A study to examine the links between subjective, objective and mathema tically modelled measures of vehicle handling is presented in this pap er. The work was based around an experimental vehicle for which it was possible to modify physical parameters and thus its dynamic responses . Seven of these physical parameters were varied according to a factor ial design and subjective and objective data were collected from eight vehicle configurations. Additionally, a handling model of moderate co mplexity has been used to generate simulations of the vehicle so that it may be validated and eventually be developed into a tool for predic ting subjective handling qualities. Examples showing good correlations between experimental and predicted results are presented along with a preliminary factorial analysis indicating some subjective ratings whi ch were significantly influenced by changing physical vehicle paramete rs. A methodology is proposed for understanding the interrelationships between subjective, objective and predicted measures of vehicle handl ing behaviour.