An Experimental Study of Automobile Driver Characteristics and Capabilities

Abstract

An experimental program to obtain quantitative data on how drivers utilize the performance and handling properties of their vehicles has been performed. Over one hundred drivers participated in the experiment, which consisted of self-paced driving through a specially-constructed proving ground handling course several times. Continuous measurements of primary input variables (steering wheel motions and brake pedal activity) and the principal vehicle responses (speed and lateral and longitudinal accelerations) were made throughout each trial. Total time in the course and incidents of failure to maintain path were also measured. Driving techniques (e.g., hand position on the steering wheel, foot used for braking) of the subjects, who were selected to provide an appropriate representation of the driving population with respect to age, sex, and years of driving experience, were subjectively observed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA020720

Entities

People

  • F. Dell'amico
  • R. S. Rice

Organizations

  • Calspan

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Accuracy
  • Acquisition
  • Age Distribution
  • Databases
  • Information Science
  • Instructors
  • Instrumentation
  • Measurement
  • New York
  • Recording Systems
  • Research Facilities
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistics
  • Steady State
  • Test Vehicles
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.