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.
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e-mail: parkinson@psu.edu
e-mail: mreed@umich.edu
e-mail: mk@umich.edu
e-mail: pyp@umich.edu
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November 2007
Research Papers
Optimizing Truck Cab Layout for Driver Accommodation
Matthew B. Parkinson,
Matthew B. Parkinson
Engineering Design Program and Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: parkinson@psu.edu
The Pennsylvania State University
, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
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Matthew P. Reed,
e-mail: mreed@umich.edu
Matthew P. Reed
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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Michael Kokkolaras,
Michael Kokkolaras
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: mk@umich.edu
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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Panos Y. Papalambros
Panos Y. Papalambros
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: pyp@umich.edu
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Search for other works by this author on:
Matthew B. Parkinson
Engineering Design Program and Mechanical Engineering,
The Pennsylvania State University
, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802e-mail: parkinson@psu.edu
Matthew P. Reed
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109e-mail: mreed@umich.edu
Michael Kokkolaras
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109e-mail: mk@umich.edu
Panos Y. Papalambros
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Michigan
, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109e-mail: pyp@umich.edu
J. Mech. Des. Nov 2007, 129(11): 1110-1117 (8 pages)
Published Online: December 20, 2006
Article history
Received:
August 1, 2006
Revised:
December 20, 2006
Citation
Parkinson, M. B., Reed, M. P., Kokkolaras, M., and Papalambros, P. Y. (December 20, 2006). "Optimizing Truck Cab Layout for Driver Accommodation." ASME. J. Mech. Des. November 2007; 129(11): 1110–1117. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2771181
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