Citation

Bingley L, Morris R, Cross G. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 2005; 2005: 15p.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The "Proposed Reduction of car crash Injuries through improved SMart restraint development technologies" (PRISM) project is a European Commission funded 5th Framework project that is intending to determine appropriate smart restraint technologies for Europe. This photographic study was undertaken as part of the PRISM project. The purpose of the study was to obtain statistical information regarding driver and passenger postures under normal driving conditions. The results gave a clear indication of real world postures at impact that should be considered for smart restraint systems. Rural and urban sites were selected in Spain, Austria and the United Kingdom, representing southern, central and northern Europe. Sites were scrutinised for their suitability to film. Film analysis was undertaken on each vehicle filmed. The primary measurements taken were: driver nose to steering wheel, Driver head centreline to vehicle centreline and Passenger head centreline to vehicle centreline. Other parameters noted included use of seatbelts, hand positions, luggage locations, etc. In all, 12 vehicle parameters and 15 driver parameters were noted per vehicle with additional parameters for each passenger, where appropriate. In total, over 4800 vehicles were filmed and analysed. The site selection a survey methodology are described. Various issues, such as time-of-day and location influences, together with the limitations associated with the methodology are also presented. Following a discussion of the results, a number of conclusions have been drawn, regarding statistical distributions of various parameters and their importance in occupant protection and for smart restraint design. Although similar previus studies have been undertaken (MacKay, Hassan, Hill, 16th ESV, Windsor; also Parkin, MacKay, Cooper Proceedings, AAAM, Nov. 93), this study utilises a wider range of sites, a larger sample size, and due to technology improvements better image quality, leading to an improved quality of data collection. Societal trends, such as the use of mobile phones, etc. are also noted.