Space for change
The development of autonomous personal transport could transform how we use the space inside vehicles. Instead of focusing on the road ahead, travellers will be able to turn their attention to non-driving related activities such as reading, working and chatting to other passengers. The change of use means new vehicle configurations and layouts will be possible.
But in a confined space such as a car, how can designers make sure travellers are still comfortable? A new study has examined how seating arrangements and interpersonal distances affect the comfort of passengers and the quality of their conversation. Almost three quarters of participants reported adjusting their preferred distance depending on the gender of the person they were speaking to. Six out of ten said the amount of space they wanted was influenced by the physical size of their interlocutor. And the relationship between passengers also made a significant difference, with people maintaining a greater distance from colleagues than they did from friends.
The study also revealed cultural variations in the preferred seating layout. Asian participants liked face-to-face set-ups, while Europeans preferred a slight lateral displacement which avoided direct frontal contact.
The study, published in the journal Applied Ergonomics, said: “Overall, interpersonal distance appears to be shaped by a dynamic interplay of social, cultural, gender-related, and ergonomic factors. In response to this variability, a flexible seating layout is recommended to support diverse comfort needs and facilitate adaptive, socially sensitive vehicle interiors. Future investigation could take into account also seat rotation and real vehicle features and interactions like complete confined space, vibration and noises.”
