“Comfort is a measurable standard, as opposed to a subjective judgment of what may constitute comfortable seating,” says Ray Melleady, managing director, USSC North America. The significant challenge in the design of driver seats is to arrive at a safe and comfortable solution that can accommodate a wide variety of body types. “From our work with Ford and Chevrolet, we have adopted 202A as the standard for the small and medium duty bus markets - even though it is not required.” “The 202A standard is law for any vehicle under 10,000 pounds GVW,” Cohen says. The standard provides for greater head and neck support. “Motorcoach drivers will often opt for a static seat with a height adjustment over a suspension driver seat that costs 30 to 40 percent more.”Ĭohen says the landscape changed when Ford and Chevrolet adopted 202A, a FMVSS standard 202A for passenger seating which establishes criteria for the height of the seatback. “This is less of an issue in motorcoaches, as those vehicles ride on much softer suspension systems typically over smooth highways,” says Dan Cohen, vice president of sales and marketing for Freedman Seating. This key fatigue factor typically requires a suspension seat mounted to an oscillating suspension that can absorb road vibrations through its own built-in air spring and shock absorber. “High-spine alignment is something we consider with all of our designs.” “They must be comfortable and offer improved concentration on the road,” Sieber says. Jonathan Sieber, director of sales, RECARO Automotive Seating, says seats must not cause bodily harm or damage the health of the lower back, the shoulders and entire spine. Seat vibration is a source of driver fatigue and can become a safety issue. In this case, the armrest lowers and slides back into a full lock position to keep the driver from leaving the seat. The HSM Driver seat, featuring Maximum Driver Protection (MDP), evolves from research on driver incidents, such as the driver doing something to slip or fall out of the seat and cause the vehicle to swerve. HSM has incorporated a dual retractor system with a restraint length up to 100 inches, to restrain the smallest to largest driver without having to rely on an independent belt extender. Though not mandated as yet, three-point seat belts are closer to a standard than an option in today’s motorcoach market. Much of the focus on bus safety currently points to seatbelts. Here are the key takeaways from our conversations. The companies commented on the regulations and procedures they adhere to, and the standards they establish themselves that allow their products to perform satisfactorily in these critical areas. RECARO Automotive Seating, Auburn Hills, MI - A division of the global Johnson Controls group, RECARO manufactures premium driver and passenger seating for every type of commercial bus. HSM, Hickory, NC - Formerly known as Hickory Springs Manufacturing, HSM has expanded by bringing in other companies to fully integrate its manufacturing of seating products for school buses, and push further into the small bus and transit markets. KAB builds primarily for construction vehicles.Bostrom produces seating for the small and midsize bus market, as well as school buses.National builds passenger and driver seats for small buses.The company builds passenger seating under its 4One brand with manufacturing partner, Freedman Seating.įreedman Seating, Chicago, IL - In addition to its joint venture with USSC Group, Freedman Seating manufactures seats and seating-related products for small-to-midsize buses and heavy-duty transit and paratransit vehicles.Ĭommercial Vehicle Group, New Albany, OH - Three separate manufacturers comprise Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG), a seating provider for heavy-duty class-8 vehicles in a wide range of applications. USSC Group, Exton, PA - USSC Group incorporates in-depth engineering that includes 3-D modeling to develop premium, durable and ergonomically-sound driver seats for many types of vehicles. bus and coach seating manufacturing companies. Each will speak to the challenges of designing, constructing and testing seating systems that meet or surpass all established safety standards provide comfort for drivers and passengers incorporate sound ergonomics protect against health threats and last as long or even outlive the vehicle lifecycle - all at cost effective price points for operators.īUSRide recently spoke with executives and engineers from these major U.S. Talk to any of the major manufacturers of bus and coach seating and the foundation for their unique, proprietary products rings the same. North American bus and coach seating manufacturers speak to comfort, safety, health and durability
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