The factor with the greatest single importance for traffic safety is vehicle speed, as the probability and severity or collisions both depend heavily upon this. This study seeks to identify methods by which the speeds of lightweight vehicles can be inherently adjusted to the highest safe speed of which the vehicle is capable in each situation. The methods are to use modem human factors engineering in order to achieve this in a manner which retains a pleasant driving feeling: the driver's choice of speed should automatically assume the optimum value. In the first part of the project, the physical limits of three presently available electric vehicles are evaluated by the automotive department of the Engineering College of Biel/Bienne. Then the preferred speeds of drivers of these vehicles are measured in a variety of situations by the Federation of Solar Mobile Drivers and Engineers (a division of the Electromobile Club Switzerland) on a specially designed circuit. In the second part of the project these vehicles and other prototype vehicles are modified in order to achieve the goal stated above. This project is made possible through funding by the Interdisciplinary Study Group for Accident Mechanics headed by Prof. Felix Walz University of Zurich. (A)
Abstract