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Vehicle and Mirror Spaces

Goal:This laboratory activity is designed to give a visual learning activity of the space around the vehicle through the mirrors that are visible to the driver of a vehicle.

Objectives:

Student will: 

  • Determine the distance from the front, rear and sides of the vehicle which are visible to the driver.
  • Draw a mark on the ground where the tires touch the road surface.
  • Calculate the size of the area not visible to the driver.
  • Calculate the square inches of tire contact on the road surface when at rest.
  • Determine the area visible to the driver using the rear view mirror.
  • Determine the area visible to the driver using the traditional right side mirror view.
  • Determine the area visible to the driver using the traditional left side mirror view.
  • Determine the area visible to the driver using the recommended left side mirror view.
  • Determine the area visible to the driver using the recommended right side mirror view.
  • Transfer the markings to a drawing for results.

Activity: Set-up

A vehicle will be positioned on the range with chalk and measuring devices

  • A student will be assigned to direct the laboratory session.
  • A person will be selected to be the driver for determining visual space.
  • The group will gather around the vehicle as depicted in diagram one.
  • The driver will position the seat and steering position to fit the traditional driver position.

Vehicle Space Activity:

  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 1 position to move straight back from the center of the hood until the driver sees both shoes of #1. Ask #1 to mark the area with chalk provided.
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 2 position to move straight back from the corner of the hood until the driver sees both shoes of #2. Ask #2 to mark the area with chalk provided. 
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 3 position to move straight back from the corner of the hood until the driver sees both shoes of #3. Ask #3 to mark the area with chalk provided. 
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 4 position to move straight back from the center of the trunk until the driver sees both shoes of #4. Ask #4 to mark the area with chalk provided. (Be sure that driver is turned around and looking to the rear out of the back of the vehicle).
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 5 position to move straight back from the corner of the trunk until the driver sees both shoes of #5. Ask #5 to mark the area with chalk provided. (Be sure that driver is turned around and looking to the rear out of the back of the vehicle). 
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 6 position to move straight back from the corner of the trunk until the driver sees both shoes of #6. Ask #6 to mark the area with chalk provided. (Be sure that driver is turned around and looking to the rear out of the back of the vehicle). 
  • Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 7 position to move straight back from the corner of the mirror until the driver sees both shoes of #7. Ask #7 to mark the area with chalk provided. 
  •  Using diagram one as a guide ask student in the 8 position to move straight back from the corner of the mirror until the driver sees both shoes of #8. Ask #8 to mark the area with chalk provided.

Tire Patch Activity:

Ask the driver to mark the roadway where the tires touch the surface. Be sure that the chalk marks are placed as close to where the tire and road meet as possible. The leader should then ask everyone to move to the left side of the vehicle to mark the assessment sheets. After a visual depiction is drawn on the assessment sheet. Ask another person to be the driver and set the rear view mirrors to their traditional position. (It would be good to have someone with some driving experience).

Vehicle Mirror Activity:

Using Diagram Two Traditional settings, perform the same type of chalking to determine the area visible in the rear mirror. Ask two persons to move to the rear chalk markings, two persons to move to the right side chalk markings, and two to the left side chalk markings. Ask the remaining students to have chalk prepared to mark the areas.

First ask the persons in the rear to get in a position so that the driver can see their shoes and then move apart to the point that the driver is unable to see their shoes in the mirror. Ask the two to take five steps to the rear and move apart again as indicated with the dots on the diagrams and mark the position. One more time for five steps to the rear and move apart and mark the visibility area. The area to the rear is quite wide and this will be noticed.

Now ask the persons to the right to get in a position so that the driver can see their shoes and then move apart to the point that the driver is unable to see their shoes in the mirror. Ask the two to take five steps to the rear and move apart again as indicated with the dots on the diagrams and mark the position. One more time for five steps to the rear and move apart and mark the visibility area. The area to the side is quite wide and this will be noticed. Now stand in the area between the right mirror and the markings and ask the driver to find you. This is the check to the blind spot area that is often explained in textbooks.

Now ask the persons to the left to get in a position so that the driver can see their shoes and then move apart to the point that the driver is unable to see their shoes in the mirror. Ask the two to take five steps to the rear and move apart again as indicated with the dots on the diagrams and mark the position. One more time for five steps to the rear and move apart and mark the visibility area. The area to the side is quite wide and this will be noticed. Now stand in the area between the left mirror and the markings and ask the driver to find you. This is the check to the blind spot area that is often explained in textbooks.

Now ask the driver to adjust the left side mirror by placing his head against the window and adjusting it so he can just see a little of the car in the mirror. Adjust the right side minor all the way to the right or outside. Ask two students to stand in the rear view mirror area and two to stand in the former blind spot areas. Notice that all the persons are visible in the rear and side view mirrors.

Assessment Activity:

Final task is to ask all students to move to one side of the vehicle.
Measurements should be taken from point one to four and recorded on the assessment sheets.
Measurements should be taken from 3 to 2 or from 5 to 6 and record on the assessment sheet,
Measure the length and width of the tire patch and record on the rear of the assessment sheet.
Draw the mirror spaces on the assessment sheet and calculate the area of vehicle space and the
area of the tire patches. Place name on assessment sheet and return to the instructor.