Title: Safety implications of a pedestrian protection system: the driver's point of view

Authors: Samantha L. Jamson, A. Hamish Jamson

Addresses: Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. ' Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

Abstract: Active pedestrian protection systems can mitigate the outcome of a collision. This study investigated whether an active bonnet could have any negative impacts on the driver as, when deployed, it partially occludes the driver|s visual field. When the bonnet was deployed, drivers decreased their speed. On straights, drivers maintained their speed and lateral control for up to three seconds of partial occlusion. For curved sections, this reduced to two seconds. When occlusion was lifted, drivers tended to then deviate in lane – a possible |panic| effect. As drivers became more familiar with the system, they applied the brakes less.

Keywords: active bonnet; occlusion; driver performance; safety; pedestrian protection systems; human factors; vehicle design; driver visual field; field of vision; driver behaviour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2007.014912

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2007 Vol.45 No.3, pp.397 - 410

Published online: 17 Aug 2007 *

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