Safe and comfortable seat belts for all

Purpose and goal

The project aims to promote safe, equitable, and sustainable road transport with varying levels of automation by collecting data on seating positions, seatbelt fit, and comfort for a diverse range of passengers in different vehicles, including car sharing. This data will help develop knowledge and evaluation methods to improve seatbelt design. Special focus on positioning and interaction lap and shoulder belts relative to the body during a crash, as well as the enhancement of human models.

Expected effects and result

New knowledge about seatbelt fit and interaction for various passengers, seating positions and collision factors. Improved HBMs support the industry´s development of safe, comfortable and adaptive protection systems. This knowledge enables sensor-driven adaptive restraints based on individual factors and crash forces. Through publications and interaction with international researchers, Sweden´s leading role in traffic safety research is strengthened, contributing to fewer injured car passengers.

Planned approach and implementation

The focus is on car passengers’ seat belt usage, positioning, and function during crashes, as well as their comfort experience. The work includes various user studies of passengers, development, and use of HBMs representing different sizes, ages, and sex, along with international collaboration and close interaction with industry. One PhD student studies seating comfort, posture, and belt positioning, while the other further develops the HBM with a focus on improved belt interaction.