DESIGN EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF A VEHICLE PHYSICS MODEL FOR A DRIVER TRAINING SIMULATOR

Abstract

As part of the development of the RLAPS Simulation Software Program (SSP) a vehicle physics model was developed around four subsystems – chassis and suspension, aerodynamics, powertrain, and tires. Tires are the most complex model, and have the most direct impact on the performance and feel of the vehicle model. A complex algorithm governing vehicle physics was presented in a generalized form to guide the programming of the RLAPS SSP. From the generalized algorithm, a practical model was implemented using Unity 3D game creation software (Unity, 2017). The simulation was tested and evaluated against data from numeric lap-time simulation software. Various parameters were opened for tuning to refine the performance and behavior of the vehicle in simulation. The tuned vehicle model performed in such a manner as to exercise the steering, braking, and throttle application skills of drivers using the simulator.