Trials

Abstract

A Field Study on Drivers’ Thermal Comfort with Road Trials

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effects of thermal comfort in real traffic conditions. An experimental system on road is designed to evaluate drivers’ thermal comfort. The aim of this study was to determine the thermal comfort values preferred as “thermo neutral” while they drive on the real traffic conditions. The measurements were performed with ten subjects during one hour driving period. Temperatures at eight points and skin wettedness at two points of human body were measured. In parallel, data were collected from a questionnaire consisting 10 questions. Only “thermo neutral” and “dry” values from data were considered. The study revealed that waist and back area were the most sensitive among the other measuring areas. Weighted average of skin temperature, which has been preferred as thermo neutral, changed between 32.95°C and 35.4°C. It was determined that skin wettedness of 26% on front and 38% on back was most preferred. Industries can use findings to evaluate their ergonomic seat comfort in vehicle and the results of this study can be applied to related industrial applications.

 

Key Words: Thermal comfort; driving comfort; road trials.

Keywords

• Thermal comfort, driving comfort, road trials

References

1. Zhang, L., Helander, M., Drury, G., “Identifying factors of comfort and discomfort in sitting”, Human Factors, 38(3): 377–389 (1996).
2. ISO 7730, “Moderate thermal environments– determination of the PMV and PPD indices and specification of the conditions for thermal comfort”, (Geneva: (International Standards Organisation) (1994).
3. Nilsson, H.O., “Local evaluation of thermal comfort”, International Journal of Vehicle Design, 42(1/2): 8-21 (2006).
4. Landström U., “The effects of climate on wakefulness and fatigue”, International Journal of Vehicle Design, 42(1/2): 2-7 (2006).
5. Quanten, S., Valck, E.D., Cluydts, R., Berckmans, D., “Thermoregulatory changes at driver sleepiness”, International Journal of Vehicle Design, 42(1/2): 87-100 (2006).
6. Daanen, H.N.M., Vliert, E., Huang, X., “Driving performance in cold, warm, and thermoneutral environments”, Applied Ergonomics, 34: 597-602 (2003).
7. Dukic, T., Hanson, L., Falkmer, T., “Effect of drivers’ age and push button locations on visual time off road, steering wheel deviation and safety perception”, Ergonomics, 49(1): 78–92 (2006).
8. Rosendahl, J., Olesen, B.W., “Comparison of temperature measurement methods for evaluation of the thermal environment in vehicles”, International Journal of Vehicle Design, 42(1/2): 22-34 (2006).

9. Valck, D.V., Quanten, S., Cluydts, R., Berckmans, D., “Day versus night driving in real traffic and on a driving simulator during an 800km all-highway drive”, International Journal of Vehicle Design, 42(1/2): 119-133 (2006).
10. Cengiz, T.G., Babalık, F.C., “An on-the-road experiment into the thermal comfort of car seats”, Applied Ergonomics, 38(3): 337-347 (2007).
11. Kolich, M., White, P.L., “Reliability and validity of a long term survey for automobile seat comfort”, Journal of Vehicle Design, 34(2): 158167 (2004).
12. Nishimatsu, T., Hayakawa, H., Shimizu, Y., Toba, E., “Influence of top coated cloth for sitting comfort of car driver’s seat”, IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference, USA, 915–919 (2000).
13. Fung, W., Parsons, K.C., “Some investigations into the relationship between car seat cover materials and thermal comfort using human subjects”, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Vehicle Comfort and Ergonomics, Italy, 461480 (1995).
14. Brooks, J.E., Parsons, K.C., “An ergonomic investigation into human thermal comfort using an automobile seat heated with encapsulated carbonized fabric”, Ergonomics, 42(5): 661-673 (1999).
15. Fanger, P.O., “Thermal Comfort”, McGraw Hill, Danish Technical Press, Copenhagen, (1970).
16. ISO 9920, “Ergonomics of the thermal environment - Estimation of the thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of a clothing ensemble”, (Geneva: International Standarts Organisation), (1995).
17. Landau, K., Stübler, E., “Die Arbeit im Dienstleistungsbetrieb”, Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Germany, (1992).
18. Arens, E., Zhang H., Huizenga C., “Partial- and whole-body thermal sensation and comfort—Part II: Non-uniform environmental conditions”, Journal of Thermal Biology, 31: 60–66 (2006).
19. Pellerin, N., Deschuyteneer, A., Candas, V., “Local thermal unpleasantness and discomfort prediction in the vicinity of thermoneutrality”, European Journal of Applied Physiology, 92: 717–720 (2004).
20. Sakoi, T., Tsuzuki, K., Kato, S., Ooka, R., Song, D., Zhu, S., “Thermal comfort, skin temperature distribution, and sensible heat loss distribution in the sitting posture in various asymmetric radiant fields”, Building and Environment, 42(12): 39843999 (2007).
21. Cheong, K.W.D., Yu, W.J., Sekhar, S.C., Tham, K.W., Kosonen, R., “Local thermal sensation and comfort study in a field environment chamber served by displacement ventilation system in the tropics”, Building and Environment, 42: 525–533 (2007).
22. Paul, G., Ackert, H., “A contribution to the thermo-physiologic assessment of climate seats in passenger vehicles”, Proceedings of the Annual Spring Conference of the Gfa (Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft), Germany, 123–126 (2003).