Title
From the seat to the system: Re-designing a tram drivers' workstation combining technical and contextual aspects
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2018
Subject Area
mode - tram/light rail, ridership - drivers, infrastructure - vehicle
Keywords
Tram workstation, Activity-oriented approach, Systems' perspective, Contextual factors, Stakeholders
Abstract
Through the detailed account of a design case-study, the paper aims to demonstrate how the activity-oriented approach promotes a systems perspective in ergonomics interventions. Specifically, by presenting an activity-oriented re-design of a tram drivers' workstation, it is shown: (i) how technical and contextual aspects were jointly considered, (ii) how their combination affects workers' activity in a non-trivial manner, and (iii) how this system level view helped generate feasible and sustainable design solutions. First, the activity-oriented theoretical lens is briefly presented, followed by the analysis of the tram driving activity, emphasizing on drivers' efforts to compensate for the original work-system design flaws. Next, key elements of the re-design process are presented, through a concept map, combining technical and contextual aspects, coupled with an account of stakeholder debates and resolution processes. The paper ends with a discussion on the lessons learned, concerning the adopted approach for design interventions in real work situations.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Nathanael, D., & Marmaras, N. (2018). From the seat to the system: Re-designing a tram drivers’ workstation combining technical and contextual aspects. Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 73, pp. 214-226.
Comments
Applied Ergonomics Home Page:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00036870