Development of Regression Model Between Driving Comfort Perception and Muscle Contraction

Abstract

Fatigue has been strongly linked to posture comfort, and it has contributed to 15.7% of the total road accidents in Malaysia. This study aimed to develop a linear model to illustrate the relationship between the perception of driving comfort (subjective assessment) and muscle contraction (objective measurement) of the most comfortable and optimal driving posture angle for drivers. The sEMG tool was used to conduct the objective measurement on 14 respondents for assessing the upper muscle activity of the body, that are the Biceps Brachii (BB), Anterior Deltoid (AD), and Upper Trapezius (UT) which involved in controlling the car steering wheel. The measurement observed three driving posture parameters according to the angle of the elbow. Multiple linear regression (stepwise) was used to develop the linear model. Three linear models were developed for each of the postures involved and results showed that posture B with an angle at 134° is considered as the most comfortable posture position for driving with the lowest muscle contraction value at 15.67 μV (BB), 19.31 μV (AD), and 12.36 μV (UT) compared to the other two measured postures. A linear regression model was developed to show the cause and effect between subjective evaluation for the comfort level and the objective measurement for the muscle RMS value while driving. The linear regression is 55.858 + 1.384 (Muscle RMS) mm in μV. The regression model showed that only AD muscle is significant in influencing the respondent’s comfort level. This linear regression model will help researchers and vehicle manufacturers to develop a more comfortable and suitable driver seating area.