The Initiation And Control Of Action In Motor Vehicle Driving (2006-2008)

The everyday nature of driving tends to obscure the complex sensorimotor control processes involved. Accurate models of human behaviour remain elusive, partly because of a lack of certain sensory cues in driving simulator experiments. This project proposes using the latest GPS and 6D accelerometer technology to build an inexpensive, but highly accurate real-vehicle test bed. This vehicle will be used to help devise and test models of steering and braking initiation, and characterize the interplay of feed-forward versus feed-back control in the two manoeuvres. These models will feed into ongoing and future projects with government and private industry looking at road signs, suspension systems, and driver education programmes.