WORK SAMPLING AS A PERFORMANCE MEASURE FOR MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS

The way in which two work-sampling studies were used as tools for objectively measuring activity levels in transit-vehicle maintenance shops is discussed. Positions ranging from utility worker to foreworker were sampled in four shops to determine how time was utilized, i.e., productively or nonproductively. The results of the studies are summarized and their implications examined. Improvements were found as a consequence of recommendations implemented after the first study; however, foreworker control over the work force was found to be insufficient in both studies. Increases in essentially nonproductive activities were attributed to decreased work load, and the issue of sufficient work load raised the possibility of adjustment of staffing levels. The data compiled from the work-sampling study were used to estimate the potential for reducing staff through attrition and transfer.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1980/774/774-002.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=WORK+SAMPLING+AS+A+PERFORMANCE+MEASURE+FOR+MAINTENANCE+FUNCTIONS&author=M.+du+Plessis&publication_year=1980
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309031184
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Maintenance and Operations Systems. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • du Plessis, Matthew K
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 3-7
• Monograph Title: Maintenance Management Systems and Transportation Ride Quality
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 774
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile repair shops; Maintenance management; Measures of effectiveness; Productivity; Public transit; Sampling; Vehicle maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Repair shops
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00334178
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309031184
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM