Transportation Expertise
Occupant Positioning and Accommodation
Occupant positioning research addresses specific issues related to occupant accommodation and safety. In-vehicle and in-laboratory testing involves measuring subject positioning and posture for a wide range of subject and vehicle characteristics to determine the relationship between driver-preferred positioning and vehicle factors, such as seat height, wheel-to-pedal distance, and seatpan angle. The results have been used to develop an improved seating accommodation model and a new H-point manikin for use in measuring and calibrating vehicle interiors and seats.
Other studies include:
- Quantifying seat and seatback pressure distributions produced by children and small adults for use in the development of occupant classification anthropomorphic test devices (OCATDs) for evaluating pressure-based airbag suppression systems
- Investigating the relationships between occupant stature and age to ease of ingress and egress as functions of vehicle seat-to-ground height, doorway dimensions, and rocker-panel width
- Investigating the relationships between driver stature, roof height, windshield header location, and roof siderail positioning to the driver perception of, and satisfaction with, headroom and vision
- Studying belt fit of older children with and without booster seats
- Investigating the ability of the elderly to don seat belts
Selected projects in this area:
Stapp Car Crash Journal and Conference
Sponsor: Stapp, John Paul, Association
Investigator: Leda Ricci
01/01/2006 - 12/31/2011
Development of New Driver Accommodation Models for Trucks and Buses
Sponsor: International Truck and Engine Corporation (NAVISTAR)
Investigator: Matthew Reed
03/08/2005 - 04/30/2006
Seated Anthropometry of the Pregnant Driver
Sponsor: General Motors
Investigator: Kathleen DeSantis Klinich
08/19/1996 - 03/31/1999
Ingress/Egress
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Automotive Seated Posture and Seatbelt Fit for Children Over Forty Pounds
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Upgrading Anthropometry of Child ATDs
Sponsor: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Investigator: Matthew Reed
02/01/2005 - 07/01/2007
Seatbelt Donning and Fit for Elderly Occupants
Sponsor: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Investigator: Matthew Reed
02/01/2006 - 07/01/2008
Development of Surrogate Child Restraints
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Occupant Classification Anthropomorphic Test Device (OCATD)
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Driver and Passenger Headroom
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Field of View in Mirrors
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Driver Eye Location
Sponsor:
Investigator: Matthew Reed
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000
Design and Development of Automotive Seat and Package Evaluation and Comparison Tools (ASPECT)
Sponsor:
Investigator: Lawrence Schneider
00/00/0000 - 00/00/0000