Investigation in influence of vehicle driver seating position on visibility

This article examines the influence of a vehicle driver's seating position on visibility. Since sight is the primary way a vehicle operator acquires information about the surroundings, visibility is regarded as a crucial factor in ensuring road safety. This study analyzed driver visibility from the driver's seat, focusing on blind spots generated by the vehicle's structural components. The investigation was conducted using a mannequin, at whose eye level vertical and horizontal lasers were attached. Visibility was assessed in BMW X3, testing five seating positions with varying backrest reclines (0°, 10°, 20°, 30°). The findings revealed that blind spots caused by the roof pillars restrict the driver's field of view, especially at intersections. The largest obstruction angle (9.5°) for the front left roof pillar occurred in the second seating position, while the smallest (7.5°) was recorded in the third. For the right pillar, the largest angle (12°) appeared in the second position, and the smallest (5.5°) in the regulated (0) position. At a 10 m distance, the blind-spot area of the left pillar varied from 7.5 m² to 9.7 m² depending on the seat position. The second seating position increased the right-side blind zone by up to 33% compared to the regulated one. These results demonstrate that even small changes in the seat height and distance can significantly alter visibility and impact road safety.