	Mobile Driving Evaluation System
Steering Developments' driver assessment procedure Click on headings below for more detail System Controller Torque Steering Wheel Brake Load Cell Reaction Time Foot Switch Setting Up for Test Performing the Drive Test Test Report Operating system requirements	Steering Developments latest mobile driving evaluation system is capable of measuring the primary requirements to determine the ability to drive a vehicle and identify the types of adaptations that may be necessary
		Brake test
		Steering test
		Reaction time test
	This new mobile evaluation equipment enables the Assessor / Therapist to carry out these tests in any car in any location and print out the results or electronically store them utilising a standard lap top computer. Our engineering department will supply, set-up, commission and calibrate the equipment at your chosen location all for a very competitive all in price.

1
System Controller
Front View

Rear View

2
Torque Steering Wheel

View Left showing the securing clamp tightened onto the steering wheel View Right showing torque measuring device secured to the cars steering wheel

Views above showing the complete torque steering wheel fitted to a Ford Focus vehicle ready for taking steering strength measurements, which are displayed on a lap top computer in readiness for interpretation against vehicle “Norms”. All results can then be printed or filed on disc or emailed to a central source.

2
Brake Load Cell

2
Reaction Time Foot Switch

Setting up for Test

Fit Torque Steering Wheel to the rim of the vehicle steering wheel.

*		Loosen clamps
*		Position clamp halves either side of wheel rim.
*		Tighten 4 clamp screws.

Note: It may be easier to remove the test steering wheel to gain access to the clamp screws.

Fit Brake Load Cell to brake pedal.

*		Locate ‘T’ bar underneath brake pedal.
*		Secure ‘T’ bar to pedal with the Velcro straps.
*		Adjust the height of the load cell with the knurled screw to be a loose fit between pedal and floor of vehicle.
Note: If the height adjuster is over tightened, then the load cell will be ‘jammed’ between pedal and floor. This will cause a load to be displayed at the start of the brake test even if the client applies no load.
*		Locate the foot of the load cell so that the load cell is in line with the direction that force is applied to the brake pedal.

Fit the system connectors.

*		Place the System Controller on the vehicle dash board where the client can see it.
*		Connect the torque steering wheel, brake load cell and reaction time foot switch to the controller
*		Connect the lap top computer to the controller via the USB cable.
*		Connect the controller power supply to the vehicle cigar lighter.
*		Switch on the lap top.

Set up is now complete and you are ready to start the drive test.

Performing the Drive Test

Steering Test

*		Launch the Drive Test program.
*		Enter details of the client and any reference number.
*		In ‘Notes’ enter details of the clients driving technique ie. use of 1 or 2 hands, location of hand on steering wheel and direction of rotation.
*		Select the ‘New Test’ button to start testing. The instrument will now start recording for 5 seconds.
*		Ask client to apply their maximum force to the wheel.
*		After 5 seconds, the instrument displays the maximum force achieved.
*		Repeat this to satisfy yourself that a consistent measurement has been achieved. Up to 20 tests can be performed.
*		The system software will automatically display maximum, minimum and average results when the test report is accessed.

Brake Test

*		Select the ‘New Test’ button to start testing. The instrument will now start recording for 5 seconds.
*		Ask client to apply their maximum force to the brake pedal.
*		After 5 seconds, the instrument displays the maximum force achieved.
*		Repeat this to satisfy yourself that a consistent measurement has been achieved. Up to 20 tests can be performed.
*		The system software will automatically display maximum, minimum and average results when the test report is accessed.

Reaction Time Test

*		Ask the client to depress the accelerator and to watch the red brake LED on the system controller.
*		Select the ‘New Test’ button to initiate a reaction test.
*		Operate the foot switch. This switches on the red LED and starts the clock.
*		The client should depress the brake as soon as he is able once the LED has come on.
*		The clock will stop as soon as he reaches a preset load (set to 20N).
*		Repeat this to satisfy yourself that a consistent measurement has been achieved. Up to 20 tests can be performed.
*		The system software will automatically display maximum, minimum and average results when the test report is accessed.
*		If the client does not press the brake, the test will end after 10 seconds.

Reset All Button
Clicking this will reset all tests for steering, braking and reaction time.

Save Report Button
This button will create a report in the Reports folder.
Each report is named with the date, time, clients name and reference number.
Reports are Word documents, enabling them to become part of a larger evaluation report as required by the driving evaluator.

A typical report is shown next - Click here.

Test Report

An example of Driving Test Results

Name: N J Boulton
Reference: sdl001
Date: 04 November 2004

	Steering Test
	Number of Tests:	4
	Worst:	15.4 Nm
	Best:	34.7 Nm
	Average:	27.3 Nm

	Braking Test
	Number of Tests:	4
	Worst:	025 N
	Best:	079 N
	Average:	044 N

	Reaction Test
	Number of Tests:	4
	Worst:	1.54 s
	Best:	0.95 s
	Average:	1.30 s

Notes:
Right hand @ 3 o'clock - anti clockwise Right foot on brake pedal

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Operating system requirements
The software is designed to run on a laptop and will be set to a customer specified window size. The operating system should be Win98, NT, XP or 2000 and will require 400MB hard drive space and 64MB free RAM. The laptop will also require a USB port. Separate drivers will need installing to activate the USB port as well as the application software and so the laptop will require a CD ROM drive for installation.