Commissioned by the Dutch Royal Military Police (KMAR), this study investigated the crash safety and ergonomic position of the Mobile Data Terminal (MDT). The MDT will be positioned at the relief driver position of KMAR vehicles (for example the Volkswagen Transporter), and will be used during standstill and slow driving. The MDT will be controlled using a keyboard and a monitor (LCD). The MDT monitor is positioned at the sun visor of the vehicles. A literature study was conducted into existing and forthcoming European regulations in the passive safety field. Using a digital analysis, requirements have been formulated for an ergonomically justified position of the MDT keyboard in the Volkswagen Transporter. The present user population and the population in the year 2015 were taken as a base for the digital analysis. Attention was paid to the sitting postures including the arm postures. An important study result is that, according to the European regulations, serious head contact always has to be avoided during frontal vehicle collision. For this purpose, seat belt use is the most important protection. As a result of the digital analysis, a proper position of the MDT keyboard has been defined for the Volkswagen Transporter. For proper arm and wrist postures, it is advised to use a revolving keyboard and to provide support for the palm or hand. (A)
Abstract