THE ROLE OF AN ERGONOMIST IN THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY

THE AUTHOR OUTLINES THE ERGONOMIST'S TASK OF CONSIDERING ALL ASPECTS OF VEHICLE DESIGN WHICH AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DRIVER, AND COMFORT AND SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. THE STEPS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INSURE CORRECT ERGONOMICS AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE ARE LISTED, AND THE TYPES OF TEST WHICH SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN AND THE METHODS EMPLOYED ARE ILLUSTRATED BY A BUS DESIGN EXPERIMENT CARRIED OUT BY BRITISH LEYLAND AND THE TRANSPORT & ROAD RESEARCH LABORATORY. SUCH FACTORS AS SEAT DIMENSIONS AND POSITION, SIZE AND POSITION OF HANDRAILS AND STEP HEIGHT WERE INVESTIGATED IN TESTS INVOLVING ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE, AS THIS SECTION OF THE POPULATION ARE SEEN TO EXPERIENCE MOST PROBLEMS WITH BUSES IN CURRENT USE. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT INCLUDE ANALYSIS OF CINE FILM, QUESTIONNAIRES AND SUBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OR COMPARISON. AS A RESULT OF THESE TRIALS, THE BUS WILL BE BASED UPON THE REQUIREMENTS AND CAPABILITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL USE IT, RATHER THAN A DESIGN RESULTING FROM OPINION OR ARBITRARY DECISIONS. THE VALUE OF QUICK, SIMPLE TESTS, INVOLVING ONLY A FEW SUBJECTS, TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO AID DECISION MAKING IS ALSO NOTED.

• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Mechanical Engineers

  1 Birdcage Walk
  London SW1H 9JJ,   England 
• Authors:
  • Brooks, B M
• Publication Date: 1974-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 10-16
• Serial:
  • Journal of Automotive Engineering
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Bus transportation; Buses; Commercial vehicles; Design; Ergonomics; Legal factors; Public transit; Tests; Trucks; Vehicle design
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 9011: Design (overall design); 2029: Ergonomics; 744: Public transport; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety; I92: Vehicle Comfort;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080584
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 26 1981 12:00AM