Bus and coach seats with 3-point seat belts, when properly designed, implemented and used, are safer than any current available seat and restraint option. However, they imply cost and weight penalties and can also be ‘too rigid’ for unbelted passenger sitting behind.

A universal coach safety seat has been developed and tested that meets the following requirements:​-

(a) The seat carries a 3-point belt that adequately restrains two 50%ile dummies under the most extreme condition of UN-ECE Regulation 80 (R80), also when the seat simultaneously restrains unbelted or lap-belted 50%ile dummies seated behind.

(b) The R80 specified injury criteria of the unbelted or lap-belted dummies seated behind the test seat are met under condition (a) and also when the test seat is empty.

(c) The technical requirement (a) and (b) were met using conventional materials (low cost steel, plywood, foam and standard belts) and production methods, resulting in a twin seat of 36.3kg.