Statistical prediction of eye locations for drivers of military ground vehicles

• Published in: International journal of industrial ergonomics 2017-05, Vol.59, p.20-28
• Main Authors: Zerehsaz, Yaser, Jin, Jionghua (Judy), Ebert, Sheila M., Reed, Matthew P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automobiles; Automotive engineering; Construction; Design; Design analysis; Drivers; Eye locations; Eyellipse; Gear ensembles; Gender; Mathematical models; Military; Military personnel; Passengers; Population (statistical); Position (location); Protective equipment; Regression analysis; Statistical prediction; Trucks; Vehicle design; Vehicles
• ISSN: 0169-8141; 1872-8219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2017.03.007

In this paper, a statistical model is developed to predict the driver eye locations in military ground vehicles. The data were taken from a study on soldier driving postures and seating positions. The distribution of eye locations is represented by an “eyellipse”, a geometric construction that approximates the distribution of the eye locations using an ellipse. Eyellipses have been widely used for the design of passenger cars and commercial trucks. The location and dimensions of the soldier eyellipse were developed based on the data from 145 male and female soldiers who selected their preferred driving postures in a range of vehicle layouts presented in a vehicle mockup. Driver eye locations were modeled using regression analysis. The model predicts the distribution of eye locations as a function of vehicle interior layout for a soldier population defined by the gender ratio (fraction male) and the distribution of body dimensions within each gender. This is the first eyellipse model taking into account the effects of protective equipment and body-borne gear. The model has broad applicability to the design of tactical, truck-like vehicles with fixed accelerator heel points. •A statistical model is developed to predict the driver eye locations in military ground vehicles.•The model predicts the distribution of eye locations as a function of vehicle interior layout for a soldier population.•The resulting eyellipse model is the first to take into account soldier body dimensions and gear ensembles.•The developed methodology incorporates the effects of garb levels that if neglected, will lead to poor designs.•The model has broad applicability to the design of tactical, truck-like vehicles with fixed accelerator heel points.