The goal of this project was to examine the Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) system (e.g., anchors, lower attachments, and tethers) and vehicle design related to compatibility and ease of use, with an emphasis on issues that can inform National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations for the LATCH system. The project included a topic investigation focused on the development and contextual background of LATCH to add perspective to current usability issues. A human factors analysis was conducted to define user performance demands and the ease of use of LATCH systems. The study also included an expert panel workshop consisting of child passenger safety (CPS) instructors, technicians, and human factors experts in which more detailed insight was elicited regarding proper use, misuse, and ease-of-use issues associated with the LATCH system. The results of these efforts were used to develop a white paper that summarizes the key issues related to LATCH system usability and lists recommendations for enhancements. This report details each of these research activities and conclusions. (Author/publisher)
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