Ergonomic Evaluation of Interior Design of Shoka Vehicle and Proposing Recommendations for Improvement

Objectives: One of the applications of ergonomics disciplinary is designing driver workstation compatible to users’ characteristics. The aim of this study was evaluation of interior design of Shoka vehicle with respect to the accommodation for Iranian population and proposing suggestions for customizing design of the vehicle. Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted among thirty men from Iranian drivers population in 5, 50, 95 percentiles of the stature variable. Objective variables related to the occupant packaging and vehicle visual aspects including anthropometric variables, frontal, lateral, and side view and so on were investigated first. Then, subjective variables related to the driver mental workload and body comfort discomfort were studied using BMDMW and comfort questionnaires during 2-hour driving trial sessions. Results: Occupant packaging variables and hand-arm angle showed the least accommodation percent (53%). Seating angles showed low accommodation as well (73%). Among three percentile groups there were no significant differences between the mean values of mental workload during two hours driving task. The mean value related to the comfort discomfort was 3.9 during driving sessions. Discussion: Considering the findings in this study, it can be concluded that seating angles need correction and optimization. Taking mental workload results into account, it can be concluded that the interior design of the studied car had no influence on drivers’ mental workload. From the aspect of comfort/discomfort, Shoka vehicle showed neutral state among drivers. Optimizing seating angles, decreasing vibration, correcting stiffness of seating pan are suggested for customization of the ergonomics aspect of this vehicle.