Reducing the risk of road accidents by developing ergonomic solutions at the workstation of a truck driver

Project manager: Paweł Bartuzi Ph.D. (Eng.)

Contractor: Tomasz Tokarski Ph.D.

Project summary:

The aim of the task was to develop ergonomic solutions at the workstation of a truck driver that would be conducive to reducing the risk of road accidents. The final result of the task was the development of an optimal - in view of muscle fatigue and reaction time - configuration of angles of the truck drivers lower limbs. Field measurements at real truck drivers workstations were conducted; they aimed at an ergonomic analysis of the drivers workstation regarding safe driving. The results of the field measurements were used to configure the drivers workstation. Laboratory tests were conducted with the use of surface electromyography and on the basis of registering reaction time in unexpected situations, in six different configurations of the right lower limb. There were 15 participants. The laboratory tests were to provide measurement data that would make it possible to define an optimal - in view of muscle fatigue, reaction time and accident risk - configuration of the angles of the truck drivers lower limbs. During the study, tests were conducted. They differed in the participants posture; they consisted in appropriate controlling of the lower limb at the PR1 test stand that imitated a drivers workstation. Each participant took part in 6 tests that differed in the angles in the hip and knee joints. Moreover, a statistical analysis of the test results was conducted. It aimed at developing an optimal - in view of muscle fatigue and reaction time - workstation of a truck driver. An information brochure and a flyer were developed; they contain guidelines on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and increasing safety both from the point of view of a professional driver and other road users.

Unit: Department of Ergonomics

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.12.2010