Simulation of a Standing Passenger during Driveaway using Optimal Control

Digital Human models play an important part in vehicle development and safety stud ies. Currently, they are mainly used in static ergonomics studies or highly dynamic and complex crash simulations. In this work, we present the use of human models for scenarios that lie between these domains. Using optimal control, we simulate the dynamic behavior of a passenger during a bus driveaway. The human is modeled as a rigid multibody system transferred of the 50th percentile male of the THUMS ’family’ and is actuated via different actuation models. Using discrete mechanics and optimal control for constrained systems (DMOCC), the actuation profiles are optimized for different scenarios and motion strategies and then compared. The simulation results show that the compensation of the starting maneuver is significantly more difficult with an orientation against the driving direction in contrast to an orientation in the driving direction.