Citation

Marras WS. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1991; 8(1): 59-65.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A model was presented to demonstrate how one could objectively evaluate the alternatives of occupant restraint systems (air bags, passive seat belts, and active seat belts) in passenger vehicles. The effectiveness of each alternative was computed as a function of the vehicle collision characteristics. Cost was computed as a function of the possibility of injury and death attributed to the characteristics of the restraint system. Both the effectiveness and the cost functions were converted into a person-years of life index for comparison purposes. Passive lap and shoulder belts were found to be a preferable alternative to air bags in their potential for saving lives.