State-of-the-Art-Ergonomics and Motor Vehicle Safety

The use of ergonomics in the design of vehicular equipment is presented. It is proposed that the wider use of the principles and methods of this discipline might aid in the more effective integration of the driver and his equipment. It has been shown that the effectiveness of any man-machine system depends upon the integration of the biological characteristics of the operator with the mechanical design of the equipment and working areas. The initial phase of a program in ergonomics should always consist of an advance analysis of the equipment, including a survey of the nature of the task, the work surroundings, the location of controls and instruments, and the way the operator performs his duties.

In highway safety the application of human engineering principles has been shown to be of great importance in the design of windshields, rear view mirrors, and vehicle lighting, and other visual aids to the drivers. The field of crash injury research is proving to be especially important in understanding the parts of the vehicle most likely to give rise to injury. Current research is tending to give more precise measurements not only in regard to the forces involved, but also to the thresholds and patterns of injury. The various research programs in the field of ergonomics as related to highway safety in various parts of the world have greatly increased in recent years.