This chapter considers the design of vehicles with respect to occupant protection. Methods described include improving the crashworthiness of the vehicle, reducing the possibility of intrusion into the passenger space, restraining the occupant and allowing the occupant to 'ride down' the crash with the vehicle's acceleration. The anatomy of a crash is examined and three time intervals described. Suitable countermeasures for each interval are discussed. Occupant protection measures are considered unlikely to prevent fatal or serious accidents. The use of computerised warnings systems is noted. In considering human factors, testing methods, biomechanics, anthropometrics, ageing and risk-taking are discussed. Particular problems are the wide variation in human dimensions and body weight and the positioning of children. Active and passive systems of restraint are compared.
Samenvatting