CHAPTER ONE
1.0. INTRODUCTION
1.1. PREAMBLES
Ergonomics (human factors) as the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance(The International Ergonomics Association IEA, 2003). Ergonomists contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments, and systems to make them compatible with the needs, abilities, and limitations of people. Ergonomics discipline promotes a holistic, human-centered approach to work systems design that considers physical, cognitive social, organizational, environmental, and other relevant factors Karwowski, 2001; Vicente, 2004; Stanton et al., 2004).
According to Karwowski, 2005, Over the last 50 years, ergonomics, a term that is used here synonymously with human factors has been evolving as a unique and independent discipline that focuses on the nature of human–artifact interactions, viewed from the unified perspective of the science, engineering, design, technology, and management of human-compatible systems, including a variety of natural and artificial products, processes, and living environments. The main aim of ergonomics is to ensure the Human–Technology, Technology–System, Human–System and Human–Machine relationships. Therefore, ergonomists put human needs, ability and limitation at the focus of designing and evaluating tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems.
Korope are examples of mini buses that are used as a fixed routes public transit and passenger carrying buses within Osun state and its locality with the usual colour combination of
blue with yellow stripe. These buses are designed to carry fewer people than the normal full size buses. Although, there are other buses of different sizes and sitting capacity (Between 7 to 30 seats) but korope has the maximum of 7 seating capacity. That is the maximum passenger korope can occupy is 7 passenger; the driver exclusive. These buses are locally built or fabricated in places like Lagos state and in Ibadan.
1.2 Aim and Objectives
The aim of this project work is to make use of Artificial Neural Network for the Allocation of Anthropometric in Minibuses (Korope).
The objectives of this research are:
- To collect the anthropometric data of the passengers of minibuses (korope) and design data in the passengers’ compartments and their environment, inside the buses;
- To determine the percentiles of users that the buses could accommodate and
To propose appropriate ergonomic design specifications of minibuses (korope) based on the determined percentile and the anthropometric data of passengers collected.
1.3. Scope
- Strictly minibuses (korope) buses operating in Osogbo were the main focus for this research work.
- All ranges of passengers riding in minibuses (korope) buses were considered.
- Minimum of 1000 passengers were considered for each anthropometric variable to be measured.
- Minimum of 50 buses were put into consideration.
