The effect of steering feel on the crosswind performance of buses - Part I : Subjective assessment

• The steering feel is considered to be an important part of the on-centre handling characteristics of vehicles. Therefore, the steering feel is of interest when improving the crosswind performance of buses. In the present paper a methodology is proposed that utilizes a moving-base driving simulator to study the influence of steering feel on the subjective judgement of bus drivers regarding crosswind performance. Results achieved when using this method show that there exists a correlation between the steering feel and the subjective evaluation of crosswind performance. When the drivers are driving a bus with low crosswind sensitivity, it is shown that low yaw rate gradients are preferred for both the steering wheel torque and the steering wheel angle. For more crosswind-sensitive vehicles, the demand for higher yaw rate gradients increases. That is probably due to the increased need for corrections and the fact that more prompt driver corrections are facilitated by higher yaw rate gradients. It can therefore be concluded that, in order to help the driver in a crosswind situation, it would be valuable to be able to change the steering feel characteristics of the vehicle.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Farkostteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Vehicle Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

crosswind

buses

steering feel

subjective

Vehicle engineering

Farkostteknik

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