Development of a Vehicle Longitudinal Performance Simulator

Abstract

Analyzing a vehicle’s longitudinal performance during motion and studying it in terms of the engine’s output is one way of enhancing fuel efficiency of a car. The way a person drives their vehicle can affect its fuel consumption greatly. This is where fuel efficient driving techniques come in to ensure eco-friendly driving practices. Drivers that are trained for ideal vehicle longitudinal performance can get much better fuel efficiency from their cars than regular people with no such training or knowhow. Research suggests a considerable amount of fuel is wasted due to negligence in driving methods in the form of heat and other wastes. Errors like excessive acceleration or braking can cause lower average efficiency of the car. These variables depend on the driver and with proper training and feedback, one can minimize these wastes. It would be a waste itself to undergo extensive training in actual cars which involves wastage of fuel as well as other risks and hazards. A simulated environment on the other hand provides a much safer and economical solution to this problem. By eliminating irrelevant factors and forces, we can focus on our desired aspects of the vehicle in motion and evaluate the driver’s ability much more accurately. This is what brought about the idea of a simulated car used to evaluate and teach fuel efficient driving methods to a driver. This report gives an insight on the key aspects of the project, the problem that is being dealt with, and the approach that is being taken to solve it