Development and Further Refinement of the Belt Deployment Test Device

A Seat Belt Fit Test Device was developed to enable the measurement of belt fit of any vehicle seat/belt restraint system. A summary of the early development of this device is presented here with the results of more recent work. Belt fit measurements for human subjects is compared to measurements obtained with the Belt Fit Test Device. Recommendations are made for further validation testing. Finally, the regulatory potential of the belt test device is considered in terms of present Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations.