Title: Automotive participant tailgating safety training device: design and test

Authors: M. Jensen; J. Wagner; K. Alexander; P. Pidgeon; K. Rogich; R. Fedrizzi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of North Florida, 1720 Merrimac Circle, Seneca, SC 29672, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, 212 Fluor Daniel Engineering Building, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA. ' Automotive Safety Research Institute, D-141 Poole Agriculture Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0931, USA. ' Automotive Safety Research Institute, D-141 Poole Agriculture Center, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0931, USA. ' Richard Petty Driving Experience, 6022 Victory Lane, Concord, NC 28027, USA. ' Richard Petty Driving Experience, 6022 Victory Lane, Concord, NC 28027, USA

Abstract: The safe operation of a ground vehicle requires a combination of driver skills and behaviour, motor-vehicle knowledge, and recognition of driving conditions and environments. One dangerous scenario commonly encountered by drivers is tailgating. In this paper, a lightweight tailgating device that can be installed on a sport utility vehicle (or truck) to support driver training activities will be presented. The tailgating apparatus has been field tested on a closed course as part of a safe driving programme. Objective vehicle measurements and subjective instructor evaluations revealed that 75% of students successfully completed the driving task at a passing level.

Keywords: driver behaviour; vehicle safety; driver training; tailgating; vehicle accidents; vehicle crashes; field testing; system design; sport utility vehicles; SUVs; trucks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2011.045773

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2011 Vol.5 No.4, pp.319 - 332

Received: 01 Apr 2011
Accepted: 13 May 2011
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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