Citation

Peric T, Strumberger N, Peric D. Promet 2004; 16(5): 247-256.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Faculty of Traffic and Transport Sciences, University of Zagreb)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The interdisciplinary science of ergonomics can be used to make the operating of traffic safer, faster, and more reliable, which will results in higher profitability and generally improved economic effects. This article explores the influence of ergonomics on traffic safety and economic development. The authors first define and review the field of ergonomics, then focus on the ergonomics of the automobile from the driver's perspective. This includes the physical shape of the vehicle interior (including layout of instruments on the dashboard, field of sight within and outside), the use of seatbelts and headrests, and environmental controls (temperature, humidity, airflow). The next section considers energy characteristics, which refer to the consumption of the driver's energy when manipulating the command resistance, depending on the force requirements, direction of action and frequency of its application. The authors speak of the car interior as the "workplace," and focus on the many individuals who are driving motor vehicles as part or all of their work time. In this perspective, they stress that the programming and designing of the automobile must include its functionality, technological requirements, safety requirements, security regulations, and ergonomic factors in general, because this is the space in which the production takes place, and in which, the worker is exposed to different threats and dangers. A final brief section consider the ergonomics of noise.