A series of experiments was conducted to identify the factors that could aid passengers to remain seated during an emergency deceleration of an automated guideway transit system. Sixty subjects, representative of three anthropometric levels, underwent various levels of deceleration in an instrumented vehicle controlled by an automated braking system. The independent variables examined were seat orientation and tilt, seat contour and covering, footrests and armrests, and rate of change of deceleration (jerk). The primary dependent variables were the deceleration levels at which subjects moved (tested by sensors imbedded in the experimental seat). Movies were taken and subject comfort ratings were also obtained. Forward-facing subjects sustained higher deceleration levels without being dislodged than subjects sitting at orientation angles of 15 degrees and 30 degrees. A footrest contributed to greater retention of forward-facing subjects as did a seat tilt of 12 degrees back. The maximum deceleration level for retaining 84% of the forward-facing passengers under these conditions was 0.36 g. Greater retention of side-facing passengers was achieved by the use of armrests. Jerk was not a factor in dislodging subjects at the onset of the emergency stop, but it was a factor in the perception of comfort. Providing a warning to the passengers of an impending stop may aid them in sustaining higher deceleration levels. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 268805.
Samenvatting