EVALUATION OF THE PVM METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE VEHICLE INTERIOR PACKAGES. IN: HUMAN FACTORS IN DRIVING AND TELEMATICS, AND SEATING COMFORT

Programmable vehicle models (PVMs) are used in industry to quickly and economically compare ergonomic characteristics between different vehicle package arrangements. Presented in this paper are results from a series of three studies conducted to determine the applicability and limitations of the methodology of using a PVM. The study had four major objectives: determine if the PVM can accurately repeat package configurations; determine if subjects have the ability to judge interior package characteristics; determine if measurements of subjects in position are repeatable; and determine if the evaluations of vehicle configurations programmed in the PVM provide similar test results to the evaluations made by the subjects in actual vehicles. Overall, the validity of using the PVM as a design tool has been verified, but accurate representation of a vehicle package and other influencing surfaces is the key issue in future usefulness of the PVM as a design tool.