About
Ms. Manary conducts biomechanics and human factors research for the automotive industry. Currently her work focuses on wheelchair transportation safety and child passenger safety, particularly in autonomous and driverless vehicles. She has served as principal investigator on a number of research projects involving the collection and application of anthropometric and biomechanical data from volunteer subjects to determine the factors influencing occupant posture and position. She has analyzed how public policy and regulation impact safety outcomes. She conducts and supervises sled impact evaluation of child restraints, transit wheelchairs, wheelchair securement systems and wheelchair-occupant restraint systems. Miriam is actively involved in national and international standards writing groups in her areas of expertise both as an author and chairperson.
PAVE: What are current barriers to public acceptance of automated vehicles you see in your work?
The biggest barriers to public acceptance of AVs are lack of confidence in safety features and the need for greater accommodation of people with disabilities.
