Optimizing truck cab layout for driver accommodation

Matthew B. Parkinson, Matthew P. Reed, Michael Kokkolaras, Panos Y. Papalambros

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

One important source of variability in the performance and success of products designed for use by people is the people themselves. In many cases, the acceptability of the design is affected more by the variability in the human users than by the variability attributable to the hardware from which the product is constructed. Designing for human variability as an inherent part of the product optimization process can improve the overall performance of the product. This paper presents a new approach to artifact design that applies population sampling and stochastic posture prediction in an optimization environment to achieve optimal designs that are robust to variability among users, including differences in age, physical size, strength, and cognitive capability. A case study involving the layout of the interior of a heavy truck cab is presented, focusing on simultaneous placement of the seat and steering-wheel adjustment ranges. Trade-offs between adjustability (an indicator of cost), driver accommodation, and safety are explored under this paradigm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1110-1117
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Mechanical Design - Transactions of the ASME
Volume129
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2007

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

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