Investigating the subjective-objective correlation about on-center handling characteristics using response surface method

摘要

A better understanding of the correlation between subjective and objective measures of vehicle handling is critical for vehicle dynamics research. This paper presents a methodology seeking to correlate the subjective and objective measures of vehicle handling, especially of on-center handling quality. Firstly, eighteen objective matrices which correlate with the on-center handling performance were measured for twelve different experimental vehicles. Secondly, these twelve experimental vehicles were evaluated by a professional driver to obtain the subjective performance ratings about on-center handling characteristics. Lastly, a response surface model was developed to represent the relationship between the subjective performance (ratings) and the objective measures, for each subjective performance measure/matrix. Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) are adopted in this regard. Cross-validation technique was used during the process of the response surface models development, to evaluate the accuracy of the developed response surface models. The resulting models could be uniquely helpful for engineers to streamline the design and development process.