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A very small electric vehicle, powered with a proton exchange membrane fuel cell operating on reformed methanol, is planned and designed in this paper to solve social problems associated with air pollution and heavy traffic conditions. Next, the driving range is simulated by the experimental data of the output and the performance. The conclusions of this paper are as follows: (1) The power train employing the fuel cell and compact brushless DC motor serves to realize high efficiency and reduce weight for energy saving.

This paper presents three experiments which were conducted under various road conditions to obtain the optimum forward visibility. The following vehicles were used: a high-speed bus having the front window extending to the floor with a curtain of variable length arranged on the inner surface; a heavy-duty normal control truck having variable visibility; a passenger car also having variable visibility. An oscillograph served to measure speed, acceleration, and deceleration, and a polygraph was used to measure psychogalvanic response which indicates driver excitability and psychophysiological reactions. A feeling test was also conducted. The test results were analyzed in terms of eye angular velocity, and it was found that the optimum lower visibility closely connected with 2 rad/sec of the eye angular velocity. This investigation recommends the optimum range of driving visibility for the vehicles.

Problems concerning compatibility between commercial vehicles and cars, and aggressiveness of commercial vehicles were taken up extensively throughout the ESV development. Setting our targets on the solution of this problem, improvement of occupant protection and reduction of the damage to goods, we carried out the MSCT (Mitsubishi Safety Concept Truck) research based on our original policy. We fitted up 5 km/h E.A. (energy absorbing) bumper and the E.A. frame in front, and installed the 5 km/h E.A. rear underride guard. For reduction of the damage to goods at collision, we have developed our original E.A. system. Crash tests were conducted with the GVW 7 ton truck and we obtained the following results. 1. Occupant Protection at 30 km/h frontal barrier collision As compared to the standard medium duty truck, the MSCT achieved 75% reduction of cab deformation and 40% reduction of frame deceleration so that it has sufficient survival space. 2.