Transit Bus Operator Work Station Design for a Diverse Population

Due to the special requirements of the transit bus operator's function, the environment can be a very difficult place to work, especially for large males and small females. This paper addresses the design of bus operator work stations to accommodate people from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. Results from a bus operator survey, task analysis and an evaluation of a proposed bus operator work station are presented. While attempting to maintain the amount of adjustment to a minimum, adjustment greater than present practice was included in components like the instrument panels, seat and steering column. The controls were grouped in the instrument panels by their function. Controls dealing with passenger pick-up and delivery are located in a right-hand instrument panel. A jury of over one hundred subjects evaluated the proposed work station. The jury evaluation showed that the work station will accommodate the above population extremes. This research contributes to new design criteria that should assist both transit bus and truck manufacturers.