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The paper considers the development of tools for studying and enhancing the ability of a driver to cope with inclement conditions. The goal is to develop strategies for supplementing a driver’s natural cues with synthetic cues derived from sensors and control strategies. To provide a system for the evaluation of driver assistive technology for inclement conditions, a driving simulator has been developed. The architecture of the driving simulator includes a driving console, a Pentium PC, and an ONYX with Infinite Reality 2 engine. The PC is dedicated to data acquisition and logging of driver input from a driving console which includes a steering wheel and brake and throttle pedals in addition to communicating the driver input to the ONYX2 via the Internet. The vehicle dynamics and the visualization software reside on the ONYX2 to permit real-time simulation of the dynamics and visualization of the environment.

Here we present a latent heat storage device which is used to provide “quick/supplemental” heat to the vehicle's conventional heating system. First, we present data from actual in-vehicle cold weather tests. Data are presented for heater and defroster performance tests, emissions tests and cold start tests after extended soaks. Secondly, heater performance predictions are made using a computer simulation program. Finally, the actual heater performance results are compared with the computer simulation.

The characteristics of the diesel engine unit injector were studied both theoretically and experimentally. The transient fuel pressure in the unit injector was indirectly measured by using strain gauges placed in different locations on the drive train, between the cam and plunger. The events which take place during the injection process were analyzed and the effects of several design and operating variables on the different injection parameters were determined. Computer simulation showed a fairly good agreement between computed and experimental results.

The effects of several faults on different parameters in a distributor injection system are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The faults imposed on a healthy system are: fuel leaks between the pump and injector, improper adjustment of the injector opening pressure, a broken or missing injector spring, plugged nozzle holes, and a stuck-closed needle. The injector parameters examined include maximum fuel pressures reached at different locations in the system, needle lift, injection lag, and injection rate.