Analysis of discrepancies between preferred and comfortable sitting posture strategies among Chinese drivers

Driving posture significantly impacts driving comfort, and analyzing drivers’ preferences in posture contributes to enhancing the overall driving experience. However, differences in body characteristics among different racial groups and the lack of on-site studies restrict the applicability of existing research conclusions to the Chinese driver population. This study categorizes and defines the upper and lower body driving postures of Chinese drivers, investigates the factors influencing sitting posture strategies in real vehicle environments, and explores the correlation between preferred sitting posture strategies and comfortable sitting posture strategies. Ninety drivers were measured for six joint angles of their preferred driving posture under three OPL (Sedan, SUV, and MPV) conditions, along with comfort evaluations. Systematic clustering and k-means clustering were employed to classify and define joint angles. Pearson chi-square tests were conducted to analyze the effects of driver attributes (Gender, Height, Age) and OPL on sitting posture strategies, and the distribution of sitting posture strategies and comfort evaluations was statistically analyzed. Cluster analysis revealed three upper-body sitting posture strategies (Slouching, Reclined, Upright) and three lower-body sitting posture strategies (Knee Extended, Knee Flexed, Knee Lifting), with the proportions of the upper and lower-body sitting posture strategies calculated. Statistical tests indicated that four factors (Gender, Height, Age, and OPL) had a significant impact on both upper and lower-body sitting posture strategies. The findings suggest a certain correlation between preferred sitting posture strategies and comfortable sitting posture strategies. This study obtained the distribution of sitting posture strategies among Chinese drivers under different influencing factors and explored the relationship between different sitting posture strategies and comfort. The findings of this study contribute to the ergonomic design and assessment of human-machine interfaces, including steering wheels and seats, within intelligent car cabins. The aim is to enhance the driving experience by providing drivers with greater comfort.