Differences between obese and non-obese drivers in preferred vehicle interior components setting and driving posture

Area of Science:

• Human Factors Engineering
• Automotive Ergonomics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Vehicle interior design often overlooks the ergonomic needs of obese individuals.
• Understanding driver anthropometry is key to optimizing vehicle packaging and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the preferred vehicle interior settings and driving postures of obese and non-obese drivers.
• To identify ergonomic differences that influence vehicle design for a diverse driver population.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one extremely obese and 23 non-obese drivers participated.
• Participants adjusted an adjustable vehicle mock-up to their preferred seat, steering wheel, and driving posture settings.
• Differences in preferred interior component settings and joint angles between groups were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Obese drivers created significantly more space between the steering wheel and seat compared to non-obese drivers.
• Obese drivers preferred greater rearward seat displacement, a more upright steering wheel angle, and less steering wheel column displacement.
• While obese drivers adopted a more upright seatback angle, postural differences were generally less pronounced, with significant variations only noted in elbow joint angles.

Conclusions:

• Obese drivers necessitate larger steering wheel-to-seat distances, achieved through specific adjustments of vehicle interior components.
• Vehicle design must accommodate the distinct ergonomic requirements of obese drivers to enhance comfort and accessibility.
• While postural differences exist, the primary adaptation for obese drivers involves spatial configuration of the driver's cabin.