The best commonly applied approach in seating ergonomics is the concept that the seat must fit the sitter.Understanding of population anthropometry is necessary because, in the mass vehicle market, a single seat should fit a huge portion of the population. This research work proposes some automotive seat fit parameters based on a representative Nigerian anthropometric data, to ensure an optimum fit between the vehicle seats and the occupants, as well as providing adequate accommodation. Anthropometric data of 863 Nigerians captured with special emphasis on the dimensions that are applicable in automotive seat design. A comparison made between the data obtained and that of five other countries. The proposed dimensions includes: seat cushion width (475mm); seat cushion length (394mm); seat height (340mm); seat lateral location (583mm); seat back height (480mm); seat back width (427mm); armrest height (246mm); headrest height (703mm); armrest surface length (345mm); backrest width (thoracic level) (524mm); seat adjustment (186mm); backrest width (lumbar level) (475mm) and distance between armrests (475mm). A comparison made between the proposed dimensions and those recommended by four other scholars for other populations. Finally, an ergonomic automotive seat suitable for the Nigerian population was designed using AutoCAD 2016 software based on the proposed established dimensions
Ergonomics ; Anthropometry ; Automotive Seat ; Design

This study was conducted to analyses the Biceps Brachii (BB) muscle contraction during different driving postures. Drivers’ posture is one of the factors that contribute to driving fatigue that eventually may lead to road accident and injuries. The experiment conducted for this study is using the surface electromyography (SEMG) method for objective evaluation of muscle involved in driving activities. A total of 14 participants are involved in the experiment. The experiment was done on three different posture based on comfortable angles published by previous research. From the results analysis, the RMS value for activity left turn is lower than activity for right turn for all three postures and results also shows that posture B with elbow angle of 134° is perceived as most comfortable based on the lowest value of muscle contraction with a value of 15.67μV. The outcomes from this study are hoped to benefit both manufactures and also car users in ensuring better and optimum driving postures that can avoid fatigue and injuries.
comfort ; seat design ; surface electromyography ; driving posture ; muscle contraction

OBJECTIVETo analyze the data of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) induced by road traffic crashes in southeastern Iran for better understanding the pattern of these injuries and therefore for better designing health system planning.

METHODSIn this historical cohort study, the patients who had been transferred to Level I trauma center in southeastern Iran due to road traffic accidents with radiographic documented SCI were evaluated.

RESULTSAmong 64 patients with SCI, 38 patients (59.4%, 36 males and 2 females, aged 27.42 years+/-9.44 years on average) were injured by road traffic accidents. Car and motorcycle accidents were responsible for 26 cases (68.4%) and 12 cases (31.6%), respectively. And 31 patients (81.6%) had complete SCI. Conus medularis (T12-L2) was the most affected level.

CONCLUSIONSResults are discussed in terms of preventive measures, specifically those concerning the use of restraint and helmet and driving behavior. This study should be extended nationally to gain a larger case series so that the SCI risk of particular vehicle configurations, considering other crash factors, can be more precisely quantified and the characteristics for low occurrence of SCI can be more precisely identified.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Equipment Design ; Head Protective Devices ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Seat Belts ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; surgery