TOWARD SAFER MOTOR VEHICLES

The overall automobile safety problem is discussed as a 3-part system consisting of the motor vehicles, users and highways. The safety problems that affect current vehicles primarily involve maintenance. Two basic ways to improve travel safety of vehicles are to improve crash avoidance and crashworthiness. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Experimental Safety vehicle and the Research Safety Vehicle are described. Antiskid braking systems, air-bag protection, energy-absorbing bumpers, crash-energy management techniques and other safety features as well as fuel economy measures were incorporated in these vehicles. An electronic driver display integrated with a microcomputer, and advanced automobile electronics' capabilities are also discussed. It is recommended that occupant protection by passive restraint systems be improved, active restraints be retained, stringent countermeasures for alcohol and drug-involved drivers be implemented, the 55 m/h maximum speed limit be enforced, the strength and reliability of brake, suspension, fuel, ignition and bumper systems be enhanced, highways (remove booby-traps, deploy energy-absorbing barriers, correct inadequate signs) be improved, emergency response be improved, and driver attitude and knowledge of laws be improved.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00189235
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5997
• Authors:
  • Braun, R L
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 81-86
• Serial:
  • IEEE Spectrum
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
  • ISSN: 0018-9235

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Automobiles; Brakes; Bumpers; Crashworthiness; Driver training; Drugs; Drunk driving; Energy absorbing materials; Highway safety; Highways; Improvements; Passive restraint systems; Restraint systems; Safety vehicles; Vehicle maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Energy absorbing bumpers; Occupant restraint
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00167617
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM