DUAL-CAR SYSTEM FOR PROVING GROUND MILEAGE ACCUMULATION TESTS

As a first step toward the realization of a fully automated road test facility for vehicles, a dual-car system has been developed to allow one driver to simultaneously operate two test vehicles. The system consists of a lead vehicle with driver, a servo-operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic controller, coupled with throttle, brake, and steer servo motors, drives the trail vehicle to mimic the lead vehicle and its driver. The nominal zero-force link, which is six meters long, uses transducers to provide information for the servo operation of the trail vehicle, and allows safe management of the system in the event of a vehicle or system malfunction. The basic concept of the dual-car system is that of a totally automatic driverless trail car which accurately mimics the driver-operated lead vehicle. Steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal actuations necessary to accomplish this are provided by three independent closed-loop servo systems. The feasibility of replacing a driver with an electromechanical vehicle control system which has both accuracy and long-term reliability has been demonstrated with the dual-car system. The ultimate goal is a driverless vehicle facility where large numbers of test vehicles can be operated under actual road conditions when observers or drivers are not necessarily required in the vehicle.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • 27th Annual Conference of IEEE Vehicle Technology Group, Orlando, Florida, March 16-18, 1977.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5997
• Authors:
  • JONES, T O
  • Ayotte, R F
• Conference:
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engrs Proc
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 92-99

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Applications; Automatic control; Automobiles; Drivers; Electronic control; Remote control; Safety; Servomechanisms; Test facilities; Testing; Transducers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mileage
• Subject Areas: Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00159888
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: 77CH1176-7VT Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM