Organisation(s): Berufsgenossenschaft der Strassen-, U-Bahnen und Eisenbahnen (BG
Bahnen), Hamburg
Key points
The ergonomic improvement of the driver’s area (cab) on buses.
Based on extensive investigation, the development of a specification sheet for the driver’s cab.
Involvement of manufacturers, bus companies and various technical institutes.
Versions of the specification for different types of buses.
Review and modification of specifications after one year of testing by drivers.
Introduction
Several technical institutes, vehicle makers, transportation companies, associations and organisations collaborated on a project to investigate the design of the driver’s work station on urban buses. Severe problems were discovered and solved, making the driver’s area much more comfortable.
Background
Investigations found that high levels of physical and mental stress were being caused by the poor ergonomics of the area around the steering wheel of urban buses, including the design of the seat, the placing of equipment and controls and the amount of space allotted to the driving area. As a result, a research project entitled ‘Driving areas on urban buses’ was launched to find out how working conditions could be improved for the driver.
Aim
To develop an ergonomic and technically optimised blueprint for the driving area
To reduce mental and physical stress.
Scope
The following organisations were involved in the project: Institutes:
Institut für Kraftfahrwesen (ika), RWTH Aachen
Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft (iaw), RWTH Aachen
Vehicle makers:
EvoBus GmbH (Mercedes, Setra)
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
Neoplan, G. Auwärter GmbH & Co. Transport companies:
Vestische Straßenbahnen GmbH, Herten
Verkehrsbetriebe Stadtwerke München
ASEAG, Aachener Straßenbahn- und Energieversorgungs-AG
Verkehrsbetrieb Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH Associations:
VDV, Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen
VDV-AVM, Ausschuss für Arbeits- und Verkehrsmedizin im VDV
ÖTV, Gewerkschaft Öffentliche Dienste, Transport und Verkehr
AGV, Vereinigung der kommunalen Arbeitgeberverbände e.V.
Arbeitgebervereinigung öffentlicher Nahverkehrsunternehmen e.V.
UITP, International Association of Public Transport Institutions:
Berufsgenossenschaft der Straßen-, U-Bahnen und Eisenbahnen
Fachausschuss ‘Verkehr’ beim Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften e.V.
The project was managed and funded by the Berufsgenossenschaft (Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention) and the vehicle makers.
The specification sheet developed for bus driving areas as a result of this project is based on scientific concepts worked out by the Institute of Automotive Engineering (Institut für Kraftfahrwesen; IKA), the Institute for Applied Work Science (Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft; IAW) and the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Berufsgenossenschaftlichen Institut für Arbeitssicherheit; BIA). It contains the results of project work group discussions and the deliberations of the steering committee.
A functional prototype based on these concepts was built at the IKA and tested by bus companies in the vehicles of the three bus manufacturers. It was used on scheduled services by drivers who were asked to evaluate it from their point of view.
The new specification was based on sound scientific practice, relevant directives and standards requirements regarding drivers’ cabs such as EG/ECE, StVZO, and accident prevention regulations (Unfallverhütungsvorschrift ’Fahrzeuge’ (VBG 12)). All aspects of the specification need to be fully applied in practice in order to ensure that the driver’s cab is a safe and healthy workplace.
The specification is intended to be adapted according to the type of bus. Exactly how the specification is applied depends on the type of bus and the operating conditions of each bus. The basic ergonomic and technical principles need to be adapted and fine-tuned. Therefore
different versions of the specification have been produced for different types of buses. The specification is valid for the driving cabs of of low-floor urban buses and low-floor overland buses. And the adjusted requirements can also be applied to high-floor- and mid-floor-buses. The configuration of the driving area must also be adapted to the particular space constraints of each bus design.
One year after adopting the new driving area, transport companies had many observations to make based on drivers’ first-hand experience.
Vehicle makers and transport companies discussed these suggestions and further consultation followed in October 2000. Modifications and additions to the specification sheet were made as a result of these discussions.
The specification sheet sets out:
A reference system for dimension data
General requirements for the driving cab area and optimum design standards for:
o The driving seat o Pedals o Steering o Visibility
o Monitoring and information instruments o Operating controls
o Cash desk, ticket printer and RBL (rechnergestütztes Betriebsleitsystem
(computerised operation control system))
o Heating and ventilation o Minimising interior noise.
Outcome and evaluation
Ergonomic improvements usually show their effects over time; however:
The transport companies are now convinced that contented drivers in an optimised working environment work better and more effectively
The experience in the transportat companies is that the rate of absenteeism will decrease with the improvement of working conditions.
Problems faced
The interests of the vehicle makers and the transport companies did not coincide, because the manufacturers were keen to include every suggested improvement without considering transport companies’ costs
Costs increased with every additional ergonomic improvement
Companies did not like losing two passenger seats to create a larger driving area because this meant losing revenue
Driver seats with memory functions and computer chips were expensive
It is difficult to control heating and ventilation in an area so close to the constantly opening and closing front door of the bus.
Success factors
Partnership approach with bus companies and manufacturers working with ergonomic experts
Clear and precise specification sheets were drawn up – which take account of the need for variability depending on the precise type of bus
Extensive test period in real conditions of cabs designed to the new specification by drivers, followed by modification of the specification based on the drivers’ experiences
Transferability
The specifications are relevant to all bus cabs.
Further information BG Bahnen Fontenay 1a D-20354 Hamburg email: [email protected] internet: www.bg-bahnen.de