Title: Passive safety evaluation in driving adapted vehicles

Authors: J. Dols; J. Masiá; B. Eixerés

Addresses: Design and Manufacturing Institute (IDF), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de Vera, Valencia 46022, Spain ' Design and Manufacturing Institute (IDF), Technical University of Valencia at Alcoy, Plaza Ferrandiz Carbonell, Alcoy Alicante 03801, Spain ' Design and Manufacturing Institute (IDF), Technical University of Valencia at Alcoy, Plaza Ferrandiz Carbonell, Alcoy Alicante 03801, Spain

Abstract: Driving a private vehicle represents nowadays one of the most viable ways by which disabled drivers can maintain their mobility and transport conditions. To do so it is necessary to adapt a vehicle to the user's residual capabilities. Nevertheless the technical aids installed in the vehicles must fulfill the same safety requirements as standard vehicles. This paper shows the results of a research project held at the Automobile Laboratory of the Technical University of Valencia (Spain), the main objective being to generate basic design criteria for improving the passive safety behaviour of the adapted vehicle under different impact conditions.

Keywords: passive safety; technical aids; car control adaptations; adapted vehicles; driving evaluation; vehicle safety; disabled drivers; mobility; vehicle design; impact conditions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVS.2012.048534

International Journal of Vehicle Safety, 2012 Vol.6 No.1, pp.77 - 89

Received: 07 Oct 2011
Accepted: 03 Jan 2012

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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