SEATING DESIGN: CURRENT PROBLEMS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES

This article describes the work of the Vehicle Ergonomics Group at Loughborough University in England. This group has researched vehicle seating since 1981, and has scientifically evaluated over 100 prototype or production car models. To assess the incidence of driver discomfort resulting from car seats and other factors, the group interviewed 1000 drivers at three motorway service stations in England during Summer 1992. This survey showed clearly that drivers were more uncomfortable if they: (1) drove for long periods of time; (2) drove a car with a manual, as opposed to automatic, gearbox; and (3) did not have a highly adjustable seat of appropriate height, seat cushion tilt, and back support adjustment. Few people understand how damaging extensive driving can be in the long run, especially if it is done in a car that does not allow drivers to adopt optimal posture. 'Slipped disc' is one of the back problems that can result. Employers of drivers need to be shown that they, as well as their drivers, incur a cost due to musculoskeletal troubles such as back problems, aches, pains, discomfort, or numbness. In 1994, it completed two epidemiological surveys of these problems. Several aspects of driving, mostly related to posture, cause discomfort which may lead to pain, chronic illness, and sickness absence.