New Results in Driver Steering Control Models

The dynamic control properties of drivers and driver/vehicle systems in steering operations have been widely investigated. This paper presents a short review of the combined compensatory, pursuit, and precognitive features needed to describe the total properties of the driver as a controller. Specific combinations of these features are associated with particular driving maneuvers. Some recent results are presented to confirm previous hypotheses and more completely quantify the models. The driver-organized system structure for regulation control is reviewed with emphasis on the loops closed and adjustments made by the driver in compensating for vehicle dynamic changes. Pursuit structures are given which describe steering control with preview and as one explanation for lane change maneuvers. Precognitive behavior is then presented as the most skilled mode utilized in rapid lane changes and other well-practiced maneuvers including obstacle avoidance. For all three categories of control, full-scale or simulator data are presented as indications of model verification.