Track: Human Factors and Ergonomics

Abstract

The need to improve the quality of transportation for persons with mobility impairment and persons with special needs is a concern, which needs attention. Public trains are highly used mode of transportation in the Philippines. According to the 2003-2012 transportation statistics, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) transports over 170 million people, of which the train carts are designed only for passengers in healthy state, defying the benefits of public transportation particularly for persons with special needs (PSN) such as physically disabled, senior citizens, pregnant women, and passengers with babies or children. The PSN represents more than 1.57 percent of LRT’s passenger population. Previous researches have focused on the design of public transport for the general public and only a limited amount of research had focused on the design of public transport for persons with special needs. That being so, the researchers aimed to ergonomically design the LRT carts for persons with mobility impairment or special needs such as disabled, elderly, persons carrying children and pregnant women that is fit for use for Filipino commuters. The study covered and mainly focused on designing LRT carts including door, seats, aisles, handrails and other features that require mobility aid such as wheelchairs, crutches and canes. In the ergonomic design of LRT carts, factors such as safety, accessibility and comfortability of passengers were considered. The researchers have conducted review of related literature, direct observation, surveys, actual measurements and statistical analyses in order to describe factually and accurately the current design of train carts in the Philippines. And through application of ergonomic principles and anthropometry, the researchers have improved the current design of LRT carts with the consideration of the issues of the commuters with mobility impairment and special needs.