COMPATIBILITY OF COMFORT/CONVENIENCE WITH CRASH PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
The seat belt usage rates in the U.S. are extremely low. One reason given for non-use of belt system is the belts are uncomfortable to wear. A "comfort zone" has been proposed which would define acceptable belt "fit" for the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile occupants in the preferred driver seating positions. The report investigates the effect of belt fit as defined by the "comfort zone" on the crash performance of the belt system. Fifty sled tests were performed on a 1981 Chevrolet Citation to determine the relationship between belt positions for various size occupants and seating positions versus crash performance of the belt system. The test results show that positioning the shoulder belt within the comfort zone does not degrade the crash performance of the belt system.
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Corporate Authors:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Vehicle Research and Test Center, P.O. Box 37
East Liberty, OH United States 43319 -
Authors:
- Chu, S M
- Publication Date: 1984-3
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Tables;
- Pagination: 55 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Comfort; Manual safety belts; Performance tests; Seat belts; Shoulder harnesses; Sled tests
- Uncontrolled Terms: Convenience
- Old TRIS Terms: Shoulder harness
- Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I92: Vehicle Comfort;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00394312
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: SRL-47 Final Rpt., HS-806 540
- Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM