PASSENGERS ERGONOMICS EVALUATION OF LOCALLY MODIFIED INTERCITY BUSES ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

In Ethiopia, locally modified midi buses are engaged in providing public transportation service for intercity long distance passengers. One of the major problems in the locally manufactured midibuses is, the consideration given by the busybody builders for the passengers' ergonomics, safety and comforts very less. In addition to this, the absence of well stated code of practice for bus body design and approval to control the industry made the things to go in the wrong way. This study covers an analysis from the ergonomic point of view, in which diverse aspects and variables related to the comfort and securities of the users. Among the main aspects evaluated are the entry and exit of the bus, the ease to arrive at the seats, the seats dimension, and distribution of the seats. Each of these aspects is related to human body measurements, verifying its adaptation to the population of users. In addition, the dimensional data of the diverse units were compared with the values and parameters specified in the standard. Finally some suggestions appear on the actions to be taken in design terms that surely will contribute to improve the security and the comfort of the intercity passengers to get minimum levels of comfort without dumping the concerns of safety and security. This research is conducted using several methods or mixed approach, which include observation, checklist, questionnaires and interviews with different groups of passengers, transport officials, car dealers, busybody builders and technicians.