Ergonomic Analysis and Design of the Console Panel of a Bus Rapid Transit System in a Developing Country

Abstract

In the light of a number of complaints from the drivers of a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in the city of Ahmedabad in India, this study investigated how the design of the control panel of the bus could influence the operational efficiency of the drivers, and aimed to collect evidence to provide the basis for the development of new concepts for revised designs by the manufacturers. The research found that there were four different types of problems: visibility of the control panel, comprehensibility of the different symbols used on the panel, placement and compatibility of different controls and displays. Two concept prototypes of the control panel were developed and tested on the drivers for their feedback on a score scale which indicated that the two prototypes were significantly better (p<0.001) compared to the original control panel design but there was no significant difference between the two prototypes.

Keywords:

• control
• display
• console

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement is owed to all those who volunteered for this project.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Prabir Mukhopadhyay

Prabir Mukhopadhyay has a PhD in Industrial Ergonomics from the University of Limerick, Ireland. He is an Associate Professor and Head of Design Discipline at the Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur, India. He teaches Ergonomics to Design and Engineering at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels. His research interests are in design ergonomics, injury prediction, user interface design, and occupational ergonomics, etc.

Vipul Vinzuda

Vipul Vinzuda has a Masters in Transportation Design from Coventry School of Art and Design, UK. He is a faculty member and coordinator of Transportation and Automobile Design at the National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. He teaches Transportation Design to Post-Graduate Students. His interest areas are non-motorized transportation, public transportation and future trends in transportation, etc.

Sudhir Dombale

Sudhir Dombale has a Masters in Transportation and Automobile Design, from the National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.

Bhushan Deshmukh

Bhushan Deshmukh has a Masters in Transportation and Automobile Design, from the National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.