踵を床に置くペダル操作法における運転者の体格の違いの影響

抄録

According to the Cabinet Office's 2020 year White Paper on Aging Society, the aging rate in 2065 is predicted to reach 38.4%. Therefore, the increase of accidents concerning the elderly is regarded as a problem. Recently, accidents caused by elderly drivers brought from pedal (brake or accelerator pedal) operation error have become a social problem. In a previous study, the author focused on the step height of the brake and accelerator pedals. Then, using multiple vehicle models with different step heights as test vehicles, the author analyzed the behavior of the right foot of an elderly driver in the operation of pedaling from the accelerator to the brake. As a result, it was clarified that not only the physical deterioration due to aging but also the step height is one of the factors affecting the pedal operation error. In addition, when the pedal step is low, it is possible to operate the pedal in a stable state with the heel on the floor. However, when the heel of the right foot was placed at the accelerator pedal position, it was difficult for the driver to turn the ankle to the left, so it was confirmed that the driver would make a near miss by stepping near the accelerator. In this report, the author focused on the differences in driver's body-size and ankle flexibility. It was also confirmed that there is a difference in the occurrence of near misses during pedal operation between small or large body-size, and flexible or stiff ankles.