SIMULATING A TEST ENVIRONMENT FOR VEHICLE DYNAMICS MODELS
A driving simulator gives a driver the impression that he is driving a real vehicle. This is done by simulating a realistic terrain and background scenario, as well as the windows, mirrors, sound, motion and vehicle dynamics of a real vehicle. A vehicle dynamics model uses the driver input such as accelerator, brake and steering position as well as terrain input to determine the position, orientation and velocity of the vehicle. Proper testing is necessary to ensure that the vehicle dynamics model represents the dynamics of a real vehicle. This implies more than only verifying standard vehicle dynamics equations. Integration and other numerical methods used may also influence the end result. Detail about the vehicle dynamics model used is not always available when developed by another institution. This article describes a "black box" testing method for verification of the vehicle dynamics model. This testing scenario has not yet been discussed within the literature.