Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES

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ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310
Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc University of Ljubljana Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transportation Pot pomorakov 4, SI 6320 Portoro, Slovenia peter.jencek@fpp.uni-lj.si, metod.znidaric@gmail.com, Jurij.Kolenc@fpp.uni-lj.si

Key words: ergonomics, ergonomic analysis, the train driver, train ICS Pendolino Series 310 ABSTRACT Ergonomic analysis may include a variety of areas and is not interested in separate deals like only about man or only about machine, because the essence is about their relationship. It follows that the best analysis of the workplace is the one that includes the views and experience of the person - a worker, who actually works as long as possible at workplace on which we want to do ergonomic analysis. This paper provides an analysis based on a questionnaire completed from 15 train drivers of ICS Pendolino Series 310, which is in use on Slovenian Railways.

INTRODUCTION

With the ergonomic arrangements of the workplace we try to adjusted it to human physical and psychological characteristics and to reduce or prevent possible adverse health effects. The creation of the workplace must include human behavior, because only in this way we can make human labor more productive, efficient, safe and reliable. Ergonomic analysis of this paper is based on the questionnaire. Questionnaire was completed by 15 drivers of train ICS Pendolino Series 310. View of the structure of the train driver tells us that: they are from 38 to 51 years old their total work experience as a train driver is from 12 to 36 years, their work experience as a train driver on the ICS Pendolino Series 310 is from 2 to 10 years. The interviewed train drivers answered the following questions: 1. Installing of controls on the control panel? 2. Comfort and adjustability of the driver seat? 3. Inclusion of physical exercise in the time of working rest? 4. Physiological factors that have the most strain on physical condition while you are driving the train? 5. Air conditioning in the cab? 6. Intensity noise (in a cab or outside) and its impact on the performance of work? 7. Visibility from the cab (forward and reverse)? 8. Interfering effects of environment on the performance of work?

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

DATA ANALYSIS

Below are presented a graphical analysis of the responses regarding to the ergonomic formation of train drivers workplace for train ICS Pendolino Series 310.

2.1

Installing of controls on the control panel

Installing of controls on the control panel of any vehicle plays an important role both in providing quick response of driver in an emergency, as well as simplicity itself to drive. The train drivers of ICS Pendolino Series 310 in the case of this issue should give its opinion (Figure 1) regarding the installing controls on the control panel in train cab of ICS Pendolino Series 310.

Installing of controls on the control panel 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 12 medium; 3; 20% low; ; 0%

good medium low

3 good; 12; 80% good medium low

Figure 1: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about installing of controls on the panel

In the first issue has 12 train drivers (80%) answered that the installing on the control panel is good, while the three considered it as a medium good. Analysis shows that the design of a management panel from the perspective of drivers, is good.

2.2

Comfort and adjustability of the driver seat

On the issue of comfort and adjustable driver's seat has 3 respondents (Figure 2) replied that the comfort and adjustability of the seat is good, 7 to the medium good, and 5 to the poor. This means that there are over 80% of comments on the comfort and adjustability of the seat or there is opinion that the driver's seat should be better. As a major weakness is stated the absence of driver's armrest. Them also bothered that there isn't adjustable lumbar. In view of the driver's seat there is a widespread perception that the possibilities of adjustable seat are very limited, respectively they are small and that the seats are generally uncomfortable.

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

Comfort and adjustability of the driver seat 8 6 4 2 0 7 5 3

medium good; 7; 47% poor; 5; 33% good; 3; 20% good

medium good poor

good

medium good

poor

Figure 2: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about comfort and adjustability of the driver seat

2.3

Inclusion of physical exercise in the time of working rest

On the issue of implementation of physical exercise as part of the working rest time, 13 train drivers answered that they don't implement it and 2 of them answered that they do physical exercise while they have working rest time. This means, that most of them aren't doing any physical exercise during working rest time at all.
Inclusion of physical exercise in the time of w orking rest

15 10 5 0

13

no; 2; 13% yes no

2
yes; 13; 87%

yes

no

Figure 3: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about inclusion of physical exercise in the time of working rest

2.4

Physiological factors that have the most strain on physical condition while you are driving the train

When questioned regarding the physiological factors that have most burdensome impact on their physical condition while they are driving (Figure 4) almost all (14) answered that they feel back pain, of which seven other feels also other pains (6 on the neck and one in the legs due to lack of space). Only 1 of 15 train drivers had no pains which would affect on his physical condition while he is driving a train.

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

8 6 4 2 0

Physiological factors that have the most strain on physical condition while you are driving the train 7 6 1 back pains 1

back and other pains; 1; 7%

no pains; 1; 7%

back pains

back and neck pains back pains; 7; 46% back and other pains no pains

back and back and no pains neck other pains pains

back and neck pains; 6; 40%

Figure 4: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about physiological factors that have the most strain on physical condition while you are driving the train 2.5 Air conditioning in the cab

On the issue of climate (temperature) in the driver's cab and its maintenance (adjustment of air conditioning) (Figure 5) have around half of them (8) an opinion that climate is medium, almost all (13), however think, that the climate is easy to adjust.

8 6 4 2 0

Air conditioning in the cab (feeling and difficulty of settings) 7

4; 27%

1; 7%

2; 13%
good / simply medium / simply medium / medium poor / simply poor / medium

4 2 1
medium / medium / simply medium poor / simply

1
1; 7%

7; 46%

good / simply

poor / medium

Figure 5: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about air conditioning in the cab (feeling and difficulty of settings) 2.6 Intensity noise (in a cab or outside) and its impact on the performance of work

The questionnaire on noise and its impact on the performance of the work was divided into two parts, namely the noise in the driver cab and the external noise caused by train or surroundings. 2.6.1. Noise in the driver cab When answering the noise in the driver cab (Figure 6), the drivers had an option to decide what is the strength of the noise that they feel and what impact has this noise to their work. Seven

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

of them decided that the noise is small and has little effect, seven of them also believe that the noise is a medium-sized and have medium-large impact on the performance. One of the drivers believe that the feeling of noise in the cab is high and have large impact on the performance.

Noise in the driver cab

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 5 2 2 1
sm all / low im pact sm all / m edium im pact m edium / m e dium / low m e dium im pact im pact high / high im pact

1 7% 5 34% 5 33%

small / low impact small / medium impact medium / low impact medium / medium impact high / high impact

2 13%

2 13%

Figure 6: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about noise in the driver cab 2.6.2. External noise, caused by train or surroundings Also by answering on the external noise (Figure 7), the drivers had an option to decide what is the strength of this noise that they feel and what impact have this noise to their work. 9 of them had answered that the intensity of external noise is medium and 6 that this noise is small. Also 9 drivers had opinion that the influence of external noise on their performance is middle high and 6, however, think that this influence is small.
External noise
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 small / low impact small / medium impact medium / low impact medium / medium impact 3 3 3 6

sm all / low im pact 3; 20% 6; 40% 3; 20% 3; 20% sm all / m edium im pact m edium / low im pact m edium / m edium im pact

Figure 7: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about external noise 2.7. Visibility from the driver cab in the forward direction

By the question about visibility from the driver cab in the forward direction (Figure 8), the drivers could decide between good, medium or poor. 12 of them answered that the visibility is good and 3 that the visibility is medium. Among those who answered that the visibility is medium has been described: visibility to the sides is worse,

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

it would be required for driving at night to increase the power of frontal lights, especially the reflector.
Visibility from the driver cab in the forward direction

3; 20%

14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0

12
good medium

3
12; 80%

good

medium

Figure 8: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about visibility from the driver cab in the forward direction 2.8. Rear visibility from the driver cab

In the question about reversing visibility from the cab (Figure 9), the drivers could also decide the answer between good, medium or poor. 6 of them answered that the visibility is good, 4 that it is medium and 5 that the rear visibility is poor. Among the comments on the rear visibility has been described that the mirror at a speed of 30 to 35 km / h automatically closed, so that among the driving the reverse observation is not possible. The purpose of the rear-view mirror supposed to be (according to drivers answers) only the control of entry and exit of passengers and exports from the station. One of the drivers indicated, that the rear-view mirror for observation could be enhanced or that there could be even installed cameras. That has proposed also one other driver.
Rear visibility from the driver cab
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 good m edium poor 4 6 5

5; 33% 6; 40% good m edium

4; 27%

poor

Figure 9: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about rear visibility from the driver cab 2.9 Interfering effects of environment on the performance of work

The questionnaire about interfering ambient influence on the performance of the work was

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

divided into three parts. In two, the drivers have decided between the answers that have been given and in the third part, it was possible to give their own opinion. 2.9.1. Disruptive impact of billboards and other forms of advertising The drivers answered, how disturbing is the impact of billboards and other forms of advertising on the drive (Figure 10). They could make a choice between the answers that have been ranging from 1 up to 5. With a rating of 1 there was an option of no impact on driving and grade 5 meant, that the impact of advertising on driving at the railway line is very disturbing.
Disruptive impact of billboards and other forms of advertising 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 11
2; 13% slightly disturbing impact 11; 74% medium disturbing impact no impact

2; 13%

no impact

slightly disturbing impact

medium disturbing impact

Figure 10: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about disruptive impact of billboards and other forms of advertising 2.9.2. Disruptive impact of light glare of the road vehicles At this question drivers answered, how disturbing is the impact of glittering lights of road vehicles on the drive (Figure 11). Here they also could make a choice between the answers that have been ranging from 1 up to 5. Where a rating of 1 meant an option of no impact on driving and grade 5 meant, that the impact of light glare of the road vehicles along the railway line is very disturbing. One of the drivers stated that the light glare of road vehicles impact on driving only in the case if the road and the railway line are running at the same level (parallel).
Disruptive impact of light glare of the road vehicles 8 6 4 2 0
no impact slightly disturbing impact medium disturbing impact disruptiv e impact

no impact 2; 13% 1; 7% slightly disturbing impact 2 5; 33% 7; 47% medium disturbing impact disruptive impact

7 5 1

Figure 10: Column and pie chart presentation of answers about disruptive impact of light glare

Metod nidari, Peter Jenek, Jurij Kolenc ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRAIN DRIVER WORKPLACE AT TRAIN ICS PENDOLINO SERIES 310

2.9.3. Other influences At this point drivers gave their own opinion about disturbing impacts on the driving. Their answers were interesting for making this paper and would be probably also for their employers (S Slovenian railways), as well for designers of Pendolino and other designers of railway vehicles and infrastructure planners. Personal records from drivers are: easy access to the lines for unemployed people, which has a disturbing impact on the performance of train ride, poor light on a rail vehicle have a disruptive impact on the management of train ride, weather conditions (fog, storm, sleet, sun, rain, snow, ice), which benefit from medium to very disruptive influence on the management of train ride, lighting facilities along the railway line which has a very disturbing effect on the management of driving a train.

CONCLUSION

At the ergonomic analysis of train driver workplace at train ICS Pendolino Series 310 we have come to the conclusion, that the workplace, especially in terms of his functions (control panel) are a well-planned, but in the system of man - machine with ergonomic point of view there is not a lot emphasis on creating human-friendly driver's seat. This deficiency reduces satisfaction and quality of performing the tasks of drivers and also leads to unnecessary illnesses. Although unlikely, there is good reason to be rear-view mirror at a certain speed closed, but probably there is also not insignificant fact, that most of drivers tues disrupts and prevents them from rear view while driving, which they obviously want to have.