An Initial Model of Driver-Vehicle Performance in Recovery from Skids on ICY Roads

Abstract

Closed-loop instability caused by excess phase lag has been studied widely in aviation. Here we develop and test a model of its counterpart in vehicle-driver-coupling, where participants were asked to recover from a skid on a slippery road. We model the damping effect of successful recovery as viscoelastic behavior. Oscillation number is the predictor variable; steering wheel angle is the response variable. We tested the model using a motion-based simulator that abruptly repositioned the rear end of the vehicle to start the skid. Five levels of time-delay (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 msec) simulated increasing phase lag (iciness). Regression analysis supports the model. The model reveals that successful recovery is insensitive to phase lag and confirms our instructors' mantra that maximum control actions should be not be taken at the onset of a skid. The fact that the model oversimplifies the driver-vehicle system does not detract from its predictive ability.

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