NCJ Number
130028
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1991) Pages: 62-65
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Ergonomic design considerations for police vehicles are examined.
Abstract
Ford Motor Company's Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Department uses a diagram of an automobile interior to design workups. The design shows body sizes and shapes for people from the 5th to 95th percentile of the population. One benchmark in a car is the heel point where the driver's heel rests on the floor; how high and far the steering wheel is from that point is important. Other ergonomic factors include head, side, hip, and head swing room. Since neither Ford nor Chevrolet custom build police cars, specialists agree that the seat is the most important ergonomic factor in police cars. Both Ford and Chevrolet police sedans feature heavy-duty bench seats as standard equipment. The seats can be automatically or manually operated in accordance with comfort requirements. Although some police agencies do not want air conditioning in their cars, some specialists believe that air conditioning contributes to the police officer's ability to stay alert on a long shift. Other automatic features, such as power windows and door locks, can also make police officers more efficient.