Case Study: Ergonomic Analysis and Intervention of a Tractor Cabin: Improving Its Usability and Reducing the Risk of Physical Fatigue

Abstract

There is a lack of information regarding the ergonomic principles that should be followed when designing the interior of a tractor cabin in order for it to be comfortable, usable and safe. This design must take into account operator’s characteristics such as his posture when driving, the forces that need to be applicated when manipulating the instruments panel or the cognitive processes implied when the operator is interacting with the interior of the cabin. Since an ergonomic cabin can not only ensure the safety of the driver, but it can also help him/her to be more efficient in their daily activities, the objective of this report is to propose ergonomic interventions through literature research, suggesting a conceptual design that could improve the usability of a tractor cabin. Some decision-making methodologies such as Reverse brainstorming and Lightning Decision Jam are applied along the design process in order to evaluate and delimit the attributes of the new design that could best impact the positive experience of the tractor’s operators.