ASSESSMENT OF THE STATIC FIT OF AUTOMOBILE LAP-BELT SYSTEMS ON FRONT-SEAT PASSENGERS

A questionnaire study of 198 adult passengers on lap-belt fit as well as vehicle, anthopometric and behavioral factors is reported. Subject size, subject sitting posture, clothing thickness, vehicle configuration, vehicle seat postion, seat back angle and the handling of the belt by the occupant was assessed on 51 subjects sitting in 6 simulated vehicles. The sample included a disproportionate number of tall, short, heavy and thin subjects. It was found that a high proportion of lap belts were malpositioned in a normal sitting posture. Moving around in the seat, especially slouching, increased the proportion of malpositions. Wearing a heavy winter coat did not cause belt malposition. A high incidence of malpositioned lap belts was also found in the laboratory study. The malposition rate was adversely affected by a forward seat postion.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00140139
• Corporate Authors:

  Taylor & Francis

  4 Park Square, Milton Park
  Abingdon,   United Kingdom  OX14 4RN
• Authors:
  • Wells, R P
  • Norman, R W
  • BISHOP, P
  • Ranney, D A
• Publication Date: 1986-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 955-976
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0014-0139
  • EISSN: 1366-5847
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anthropometry; Automatic seat belts; Behavior; Front seat occupants; Manual safety belts; Seats; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic restraints
• Subject Areas: Design; Passenger Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495899
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 689
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM