EVALUATION OF THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS IN 1980 AND 1981 MODEL VEHICLES

An analysis was conducted of both user and vehicle characteristics that influence the user perceptions of safety belt system comfort and convenience. A research design was developed involving various passenger cars, vans, and pickups, and a set of drivers of different sex, weight, and height combinations. A statistical analysis of the test results using crosstabulation and analysis of variance identified height, vehicle size, type of belt system, and other factors as having a significant impact on perceptions of safety belt comfort and convenience. An additional phase of these studies examined the compatibility of child restraint devices with existing safety belt systems. Several devices currently available on the open market were evaluated in each of the test vehicles. Problems identified include the need for special locking devices in some vehicles, the incompatibility of automatic belt systems, and bulky retractor devices.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1307
• Corporate Authors:

  VERVE

  BETHESDA, MD  United States 

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Office of Driver and Pedestrian Programs, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Tom, J C
  • Petersen, D D
  • Robbins, C M
  • Peters, R
• Publication Date: 1981-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 275 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Child restraint systems; Children; Comfort; Evaluation; Fasteners; Locks (Fasteners); Manual safety belts; Perception; Pickup trucks; Safety; Seats; Statistical analysis; Surveys; Vans; Vehicle characteristics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Compatibility; Convenience
• Old TRIS Terms: Pickups; User characteristics
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I92: Vehicle Comfort;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00343044
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: VS-77/83 Final Rpt., DOT-HS-805-860
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-80-C-07011, DTNH22-80-C-07611
• Files: NTIS, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 16 1981 12:00AM