Effects of Side-Impact Padding on Driver Performance

Abstract

Recent research has indicated that the best method of protecting vehicle occupants in side impacts is to provide as much energy-absorbing padding as possible between the occupant and the side-door panel. On the driver's side of the vehicle, however, it is essential that the driver's ability to control the automobile not be degraded. Two experiments were undertaken to design and evaluate an acceptable side-door panel for a compact vehicle. Once a padding design has been determined, other studies can define the appropriate energy-absorbing materials and the panel's injury-mitigation potential. In Experiment I, driver arm movements and, hence, lateral-clearance requirements were defined from driving data. Based on these requirements, a candidate side-panel interior padding was designed. During Experiment 2, the effects of candidate door panels on driver performance were evaluated in a closed-course experiment. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in time required to complete a lane change as padding thickness increased.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Hartemann, F. , Thomas, C. , Foret-Bruno, J. Y. , Henry, C. , Fayon, A. , and Tarriere, C. (1976). Occupant protection in lateral impacts (SAE Publication 760806). Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers.

Haslegrave, C. M. (1980). Anthropometric profile of the British car driver. Ergonomics, 23, 437–467.

McKnight, A. J. , and Adams, B. B. (1970). Driver education task analysis, Volume I: Task descriptions (HumRRO Technical Report 70-103). Alexandria, VA: Human resources Research Organization.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (1978). Anthropometric source book, Volume II: A handbook of anthropometric data (NASA RP 1024). Houston, TX: Author.

Rice, R. S. , and Dell'Amico, F. (1974). An experimental study of driver characteristics and capabilities (CAL ZS-5208-K-I). Buffalo, NY: Calspan Corp.

Ventre, P. , Provensal, J. , and Stcherbatcheff, G. (1979). Development of protection systems for lateral impacts (SAE Publication 790710). Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers.