Experimental evaluation and analytical validation of the driver assistance system developed by the authors that helps the driver in performing lane-following control are discussed. The system continually supplies the artificial steering torque to the driver through the steering wheel as active kinesthetic information. The driver receives control information which gives him/her a direct hint how to correct his/her present action to perform lane-following. Proving ground tests, driving simulator tests and identification of driver dynamics from test data are carried out to evaluate the availability of the system and to confirm the validity of the results of the numerical simulation which employed "driver model" developed by the authors. Findings are summarized as the proposed system enables the driver to achieve good task performance and to reduce both the driver's mental and physical workload.
Abstract