New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 15 - Department of Motor Vehicles
Chapter I - REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
Subchapter D - Equipment
Part 55 - Padded Equipment
Section 55.1 - Definitions

Universal Citation: 15 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 55.1

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024

For the purpose of this Part, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) Designated seating capacity. The number of designated seating positions provided.

(b) Designated seating position. Any plan view lateral location intended by the manufacturer to provide seating accommodation for a person at least as large as a fifth percentile adult female, except auxiliary seating accommodations such as temporary or folding jump seats.

(c) Fifth percentile adult female. A person possessing the dimensions and weight of the fifth percentile adult female specified for the total age group in Public Health Service Publication No. 1000, Series 11, No. 8, Weight, Height and Selected Body Dimensions of Adults.

(d) "H" point. The mechanically hinged hip point of a manikin which simulates the actual pivot center of the human torso and thigh, described in SAE Recommended Practice J826, Manikins for Use in Defining Vehicle Seating Accommodations, November 1962.

(e) Head impact area. All nonglazed surfaces of the interior of a vehicle that are statically contactable by a 6.5-inch diameter spherical head form of a form of a measuring device having a pivot point to "top-of-head" dimension infinitely adjustable from 29 to 33 inches in accordance with the following procedure, or its graphic equivalent:

(1) At each designated seating position, place the pivot point of the measuring device:
(i) for seats that are adjustable fore and aft, at:
(a) the seating reference point; and

(b) a point five inches horizontally forward of the seating reference point and vertically above the seating reference point, an amount equal to the rise which results from a five-inch forward adjustment of the seat or 0.75 inch; and

(ii) for seats that are not adjustable fore and aft, at the seating reference point.

(2) With the pivot point to "top-of-head" dimension of each value allowed by the device and the interior dimensions of the vehicle, determine all contact points above the lower windshield glass line and forward of the seating reference point.

(3) With the head form at each contact point, and with the device in a vertical position if no contact point exists for a particular adjusted length, pivot the measuring device forward and downward through all arcs in vertical planes to 90° each side of the vertical longitudinal plane through the seating reference point, until the head form contacts an interior surface or until it is tangent to a horizontal plane one inch above the seating reference point, whichever occurs first.

(f) Instrument pane. That structure between the front seats and the windshield, above, but not attached to, the floor and toe pan, between the forward door posts, except the steering column and attachments thereto.

(g) Motor vehicle. Every motor vehicle as defined by section 125 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, except motorcycles.

(h) Multi-purpose passenger vehicle. A motor vehicle designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.

(i) Passenger car. A motor vehicle, except a multi-purpose passenger vehicle, designed for carrying 10 persons or less.

(j) Pelvic impact area. That area of the door or body side adjacent to any outboard designated seating position which is bounded by horizontal planes 7 inches above and 4 inches below the seating reference point and vertical transverse planes 8 inches forward and 2 inches rearward of the seating reference point.

(k) Seating reference point. The manufacturer's design reference point which:

(1) establishes the rearmost normal design driving or riding position of each designated seating position in a vehicle;

(2) has coordinates established relative to the designated vehicle structure;

(3) simulates the position of the pivot center of the human torso and thigh; and

(4) is the reference point employed to position the two dimensional templates described in SAE Recommended Practice J826, Manikins for Use in Defining Vehicle Seating Accommodations, November 1962.

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