Providing for the health and comfort of drivers should be an important consideration if drivers are expected to fulfil their important role as customer agents, and this concern should be reflected in the design of the driver's workstation area. CUTA has therefore conducted a comprehensive ergonomic study of the bus driver's workstation as part of its Strategic Transit Research Program. This study included the following tasks: a) an extensive review of relevant literature, b) field observations and driver interviews to define driver tasks, c) seat vibration tests that were carried out at a test track facility and during street operations, d) computer-based simulation analysis of the set-pedal steering system that would maximise the percentage of the target driver population that would be comfortably accommodated, e) the development of a wide variety of design concepts that might help to enhance the driver's workstation, and f) some initial validation of these design concepts through the construction of a mock-up and the holding of workshops with transit staff, drivers, and manufacturers to solicit their comments. Together the tasks performed during this study provide a comprehensive look at the very complex issues related to the design of an enhanced driver workstation. The final chapter identifies seven areas where more research or development is needed, including: 1) driver's seat, 2) pedals and steering wheel, 3) farebox, 4) graduated adjustments, 5) direct sun glare protection, 6) mirrors, and 7) windshields. This study highlights the need to enhance the driver's workstation area, and identifies a variety of directions to pursue as well as issues to work on and resolve. CUTA's Bus Design and Maintenance Committee shall now review the results from this study as part of their general efforts to enhance the design of buses used by Canadian transit systems.
Samenvatting