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Automotive Safety: The Next Generation

29 March 1999

Automotive Safety: The Next Generation

   1999 Designs for Safety Competition to Award $10,000 in Scholarships to
                          Tomorrow's Brightest Stars

    WHITESTONE, N.Y., March 26 -- In conjunction with the 1999
World Traffic Safety Symposium at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS)
on Thursday, April 8, 1999 in the Jacob Javits Center's Special Events Hall,
the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) will hold its
fourth annual Designs for Safety Competition -- an industrial design contest
for college students enrolled in design programs throughout the country.
Participants are required to create a model and drawing of a product or
enhancement which increases occupant protection in a vehicle.  Ten thousand
dollars in tuition scholarships will be awarded at this year's competition.
    The following are some of last year's innovative designs:
    Last year's winning entry, "The Transgenerational Seatbelt" was designed
by Mark Pederson and Jaejan Park, students at Syracuse University.  According
to Pederson and Park, their seatbelt offers additional protection from rib and
collarbone injuries through the use of a second over-the-shoulder restraint.
Their seatbelt, which fastens in a criss-cross pattern, was designed with the
elderly passenger in mind, as they often fall victim to these types of
injuries when accidents occur.  In addition, the belt was also designed to be
easier to grasp and fasten, a boon for arthritic users.
    1998's second place design was a combination stroller/car seat created by
Greg Jiminez and Ryan Sims from Arizona State Univerity.  In addition to
offering parents a single product which fills two needs, their product, when
used as a car seat, provides the infant passenger with added protection
through the use of air bladders.  When inflated, the seat's snug fit makes
automobile travel safer for children.
    Joseph Fontaine, a student at Pratt Institute, created the third place
entry, "Netstran: Cargo Security Net."  This simple device provides automobile
passengers and drivers with additional protection by allowing packages to be
secured within the vehicle.  Once secured, objects would be prevented from
striking automobile occupants and causing injury.  In addition, the net may
prevent accidents from occurring, as it decreases the driver's temptation to
adjust, look through or retrieve objects while driving.
    "The Designs for Safety Competition has been a source of incredible pride
for the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association," said Mark
Schienberg, executive vice president.  "The competition gives us all a glimpse
into a future where these students will be making a tremendous impact on our
ability to get to all of our destinations safely."
    The 1999 New York International Auto Show -- North America's last major
auto show of the century -- will be an impresisve collection of cutting-edge
design and remarkable innovation.  Four floors of exhibitors are expected to
feature new automotive products, including more than 35 vehicle manufacturers.
Nearly 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display filling more than 810,000
square feet of exhibit space.  In addition, the 1999 NYIAS expects a
record-breaking number of World, National, and Regional vehicle debuts.
    1999 NYIAS Media Days are March 30, 31, and April 1.  Dealer/Industry
Preview Day is April 2.  The Show opens to the public on Saturday, April 3 and
runs through Sunday, April 11.  The World Traffic Safety Symposium is April 8.