A Systemic Model for Driver-in-Control

Models of driving have traditionally been couched either in terms of guidance and control or in terms of human factors. There is, however, a need for more powerful models that can match the rapidly growing complexity and sophistication of modern cars. Such models must provide coherent and consistent ways of describing driver performance to help engineers develop and validate technical concepts for semi- and fully automated systems in cars. This paper presents a qualitative model for Driver-in-Control (DiC) based on the principles of cognitive systems engineering. The model describes driving in terms of multiple, simultaneous control loops with the joint driver-vehicle system (JVDS) as a unit. This provides the capability to explain how disturbances may propagate between control levels. The model also enables new functions to be evaluated at the specific level at which they are aimed, rather than by their effects on global driving performance.