A Comprehensive Performance Evaluation Method Based on Dynamic Weight Analytic Hierarchy Process for In-Loop Automatic Emergency Braking System in Intelligent Connected Vehicles

In the field of active safety technology for intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), the reliability and safety of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system is recognized as critical to driving safety. However, existing evaluation methods have been constrained by the inadequacy of static weight assessments in adapting to diverse driving conditions, as well as by the disconnect between conventional evaluation frameworks and experimental validation. To address these limitations, a comprehensive Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) evaluation system based on the dynamic weight analytic hierarchy process (DWAHP) was proposed in this study. A two-tier dynamic weighting architecture was established. At the criterion level, a bivariate variable–weight function, incorporating the vehicle speed and road surface adhesion coefficient, was developed to enable the dynamic coupling modeling of road environment parameters. At the scheme level, a five-dimensional indicator system—integrating braking distance, collision speed, and other key metrics—was constructed to support an adaptive evaluation model under multi-condition scenarios. By establishing a dynamic mapping between weight functions and driving condition parameters, the DWAHP methodology effectively overcame the limitations associated with fixed-weight mechanisms in varying operating conditions. Based on this framework, a dedicated AEB system performance test platform was designed and developed. Validation was conducted using both VIL simulations and real-world road tests, with a Volvo S90L as the test vehicle. The experimental results demonstrated high consistency between VIL and real-world road evaluations across three dimensions: safety (deviation: 0.1833/9.5%), reliability (deviation: 0.2478/13.1%), and riding comfort (deviation: 0.05/2.7%), with an overall comprehensive score deviation of 0.0707 (relative deviation: 0.51%). This study not only verified the technical advantages of the dynamic weight model in adapting to complex driving environments and analyzing multi-parameter coupling effects but also established a systematic methodological framework for evaluating AEB system performance via VIL. The findings provide a robust foundation for the testing and assessment of AEB system, offer a structured approach to advancing the performance evaluation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs), facilitate the safe and reliable validation of ICVs’ commercial applications, and ultimately contribute to enhancing road traffic safety.