PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF DRIVER LEAN IN LATE MODEL VEHICLES WITH BENCH AND BUCKET SEATS

Video films of targets placed on the back of subject's heads and shoulders were recorded for 18 drivers in two Pontiac 6000 vehicles equipped with bench and bucket seats, respectively. The video target images were digitized at one minute intervals when the head was facing forward and the lateral offset from centerline of occupant (i.e., centerline of seat) was compared for the two vehicles. It had been hypothesized that the lateral offset and variability of lateral position (i.e., driver lean) would be greater in the vehicle with the bench seat. Under the driving conditions of the study, however, the data do not support this hypothesis. Subjects in both vehicles showed similar results for driver lateral offset which, for the center of the head, was just inboard of centerline of occupant. The results do suggest, however, that the current center of the eyellipses in SAE J941 is too far outboard for late model vehicles and actual driving conditions.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150
• Authors:
  • Lee, N S
  • Schneider, L W
• Publication Date: 1988-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 60 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Automobiles; Driving simulators; Front seats; Lateral placement; Seats; Vehicle design; Videotapes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bucket seats; Lateral dynamics
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495201
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-88-49
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1990 12:00AM