Evaluating Short and Long Term Seating Comfort

This paper reports the results of a study comparing the subjective assessment of short and long duration sitting comfort associated with an 80 mile highway drive. Thirty-six subjects evaluated five cars selected from the small car market segment. Subjects completed a comfort assessment questionnaire and were pressure mapped before and after the ride and drive. Subjective evaluation of several seat zones were analyzed and compared to pressure readings. The results for four zones including shoulder, lumbar, ischial tuberosity, and thigh areas are discussed.