Assessment, re-design and evaluation of changes to the driver's cab in a suburban electric train

A new type of electric train, called the Tangara, began replacing older tra ins on the Sydney city and suburban network in 1990. Shortly afterwards, so me of the train drivers began reporting pain in the arms while driving the new train. The Ergonomics Unit of Worksafe Australia was then engaged to id entify and assess ergonomic problems in the driver's cab. This process incl uded direct observation of drivers at work, distribution of a self-administ ered questionnaire to all drivers, and analysis of anthropometric problems using a computer-aided design package. The analysis of 193 completed questi onnaires and the problems shown by the design study were used in developing an improved design. A mock-up of the modified cab was made and tried out b y 134 drivers whose comments led to further changes. The modified design wa s applied to new production, and existing cabs were modified during major m aintenance. By 1996, 96% of the driver's cabs were to the new design. An ev aluation of the new design was undertaken using written questionnaires, whi ch were completed by 227 drivers. The results were strongly in favour of th e new design, showing the effectiveness of the ergonomic modifications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.