PREDICTORS OF WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION LEVELS AMONG URBAN TAXI DRIVERS

To identify a set of important WBV predictors that could be used to develop a statistical instrument for exposure assessment in a large epidemiologic study, a total of 432 WBV measures were taken from a sample of 247 male drivers in Taipei City, Taiwan. In accordance with the ISO 2631-1 (1997) methods, we measured the frequency-weighted vertical acceleration (z-axis) over drivers' seat surface, under conditions representing different types of rides (vacant vs. short vs. long) assigned to random destinations. Mixed effect models were used to analyse the WBV data including repeated measures. For this group of urban taxi drivers regularly exposed to WBV of low intensity (mean = 0.31 ms (super -2), ranging from 0.17 to 0.55 ms (super -2 rms), our analyses indicated that average driving speed was the primary predictor (p less than 0.0001). As average driving speed increased, measured vertical acceleration increased in a quadratic-linear manner (p less than 0.0001). Other WBV predictors, after adjusting for the effects of other covariates, included automobile manufacturer (p = 0.02), engine size (p = 0.04), body weight (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.02), use of seat cushion (p = 0.03), and traffic period (p = 0.02). Our study suggests that a similar statistical approach could be employed in future studies to improve the quality and efficiency of WHV exposure assessment in professional drivers. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00140139
• Corporate Authors:

  Taylor & Francis

  4 Park Square, Milton Park
  Abingdon,   United Kingdom  OX14 4RN
• Authors:
  • CHEN, J C
  • CHANG, W R
  • SHIH, T S
  • Chen, C J
  • CHANG, W P
  • DENNERLEIN, J T
  • RYAN, L M
  • CHRISTIANI, D C
• Publication Date: 2003-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 1075-90
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0014-0139
  • EISSN: 1366-5847
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Drivers; Engine displacement; Engine operation; Ergonomics; Helmets; Mathematical analysis; Protective clothing; Seat belts; Seats; Speed; Taxicabs; Urban areas; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Vertical
• Geographic Terms: Taiwan
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 6471: Analysis (math); 1687: Crash helmet; 1772: Driver; 3870: Engine capacity; 2029: Ergonomics; 1476: Safety belt; 1388: Seat (veh); 5408: Speed; 8138: Taiwan, province of; 1148: Taxi; 313: Urban area; 9087: Vertical; 5558: Vibration
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00963897
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 3 2003 12:00AM