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The human body has been increasing in size in many world-wide populations over at least the past century, according to documented reports. Such increases clearly have implications for the design of automotive equipment. This “secular increase” involves the body as a whole, applies to both men and women, and seems to affect the short-statured more than the tall. Summary estimates for this increase in stature have averaged around 1.0 cm per decade although there may be considerable variability between studies. The most likely explanations for this increase involve improved environmental conditions, specifically better nutrition, health care, and sanitation. Some groups currently show no secular increase in size. These include those who a) live in environments with less than adequate diets and medical care, or b) have already achieved their maximum body size potential as a result of living in optimal environments for growth. The secular increase in size is likely coming to an end.

A recent survey is described in which a series of anthropometric measurements were taken which are related to automobile design. In the first phase of the research 1,000 seated subjects were used to obtain 22 static measurements, most of which were indexed to two different reference points, the SAE H point and the accelerator heel point. In the second phase of the research measurements of functional arm reach to 117 points within the seated workspace were obtained on 100 subjects. Examples of the static and dynamic data obtained are given in both tabular and graphic form. Discussions are included of the measurements taken, the reasons for their selection, the measuring techniques employed, the statistical analyses used, and the potential applications of the data.

Differences in human body size can sometimes have serious implications for the efficiency and safety, as well as the comfort, of vehicle drivers. The fundamental aim of this report has been to outline methods whereby data on human body size may be systematically incorporated into vehicular design. It is believed that previous considerations of this problem have been hampered by a lack of information on the specific size range of drivers to be accommodated. The engineer cannot design adequately on the basis of an “average” man taken from the general population. Nor can he design properly if he does not know precisely how “big” or how “small” his drivers will be. In addition he must know not only the human body dimensions, but also how these measurements vary in dynamic situations.