| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2012 |
Bibliographical note
This has not yet been published. The paper was given at The Design Research Society (DRS) International Conference 2012 "Re:Search" was held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. 1–4 July 2012. Author's note: The paper demonstrates the transfer of the model of educational ergonomics (Output 3) to the transport domain. The paper consolidates research from different fields to argue for the importance of user led, systems based, design research focussing on the quality of the transport experience from a service user’s, whole journey perspective. The research forms the cornerstone of the Integrated Transport and Logistics Grand Challenge Initiative and is the basis of a successful FP7 application (with the author as PI) to develop a pan European measure of the quality of the passenger experience.The significance of the paper lies in the opportunity it provides for the design and human factors community to shape the future of transport systems. It is argued that too much attention is given to the design of vehicles as opposed to the quality of the entire user experience from decision to travel, to arrival at the final destination; the need for a systems design approach to transport problems, and the need for design training and leadership in this area
The multi stakeholder approach which needs to be considered in the design of transport systems is illustrated through the Stratford bus trial case study. Here a team of researchers engaged in the evaluation of a weeklong field trial of an electric bus considering a range of different users (tourists, pedestrians, shopkeepers, drivers, passengers and the bus operator) and factors (such as demographics, town planning, vehicle design, cultural and socio-economic issues).
The results have highlighted significant safety problems with the design of the bus (silent operation and roll back, the poor design of the HMI), the effects of poor transport design on the city economy . The results of the study have directly contributed to improvements in bus design and the decision o the transport operator to not add electric vehicles to its fleet.
Citation or other Indicators
The Stratford bus trial has been published in international conferences such as:
Woodcock, A. and S. Topalovic, (2011) An investigation of the perception of transport problems and electric buses in an urban environment, Contemporary Ergonomics, April 2011
Woodcock, A (2010), Keynote address on the Future of Ergonomics, APCHI and Ergofutures Conference, Bali