Vehicle Consumption Evaluation Using Simulation Models Reproducing Gear Management Strategies

The object of this article is the study of the estimated consumption of mean class vehicles through the development of a simulation model, which recreates the behavior of the test driver-vehicle on a predefined mission. The aim of such a model is to reproduce the management of the gears on a defined test ground allowing for the realization of a sensibility analysis regarding some vehicle parameters and to determine the optimum ones for the minimization of consumption depending upon the considered vehicle. The provisional model developed has been realized by integrating a simplified model of the dynamic of the vehicle with an expert system based on Artificial Neural Networks. It is able to reproduce logic and strategies of the test driver for the choice of the gear change.