Selection of automobile vehicle by evaluation through graph theoretical methodology
by R. Venkatasamy, V.P. Agrawal
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 17, No. 4, 1996

Abstract: This paper provides a computationally simple and efficient methodology of evaluating the characteristics attributes of a vehicle and to select an optimum vehicle. This methodology based on graph theoretic, matrix and permanent models, which is used in the system and structural analysis of the vehicle, has been extended in this study to the evaluation, analysis and selection problem. First, the various conflicting attributes of the vehicle and their interactions/interdependencies are represented by the vehicle attribute graph. This reveals the attributes and their effects on each other visually. The vehicle attribute matrix, also called matrix model, is developed to have a computational method to evaluate the vehicles. This matrix is a combination of attribute rating matrix and attribute relative importance matrix. The permanent model yields the Suitability Index [S.I.] of the vehicle, which is the permanent value of the vehicle attribute matrix. The vehicles are ranked in accordance with the value of S.I. in descending order. The vehicle with rank No. 1 is best suitable for the customer's/user's desires on the particular application under consideration. An expert system is developed to carry out this methodology in user-friendly manner. The methodology is explained with an illustrative example to know about the various intermediate steps in the methodology.

Online publication date: Wed, 28-May-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com