Human size variation in design of Australian transport systems

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Human size variation in design of Australian transport systems

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The research was delivered in partnership with the University of South Australia, Department of Transport Victoria and the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation.

Background

Anthropometry is the measurement of human dimensions such as stature, waist circumference and hip breadth. These data are used to inform the design of systems such as rolling stock, seating, control layouts, and customer interfaces. Anthropometric data are typically country specific due to differences in factors such as age profile, ethnicity, and nutrition of the general population. Australia has no anthropometric data despite several attempts over the years to conduct a full anthropometric survey.

There is no standard set of anthropometric data used in the rail industry as no up-to-date data currently exists for the Australian civilian population. Often commercially available datasets are used, yet there is no apparent validation of their suitability for the Australian population. This potentially creates design inefficiencies, risk to manufacturers and cost implications as well as having the potential for compromising safety.

This project delivered the following: 

• An extensive review and consultation of available current data and applicability to the Australian transport industry.
• Construction of a new/updated anthropometric dataset from the identified data.
• Augment the dataset for relevant transport industry applications (e.g. reach envelope requirements, that being the furthest points a user can reach given their body size and posture).
• Develop guidance and final dataset documentation, including relevant standards incorporation review and recommendations.
• Two main reports were produced from this research.

Australian size variation by design reports

M002 Outcome of interviews and dataset scope (PDF, 798.98 KB)

This report contains findings of Phase 1 and 2 of the study, including a summary of interviews conducted with key personnel in the Human Factors area of the Australian Transport Industry. The interviews aimed to identify current approaches employed by designers and end users to assess space requirements and population accommodation in the Australian Transport industry.

This report also contains findings of a scoping study of available Australian anthropometric data. 

M004 Detailed anthropometry dataset (PDF, 1.44 MB)

This report presents overall findings of the research. The project successfully developed an Australian anthropometric data set to inform Transport infrastructure design and the ergonomic requirements of our customers. The report outlined the methods taken to obtain, sample and reweigh the NHS data, and compares this dataset to the most commonly used reference for Australian anthropometry, the PeopleSize software.

This project was managed by Human Factors Specialists in both Transport for NSW and the Department of Transport Victoria.

This research was delivered in partnership with iMOVE CRC and supported by the Cooperative Research Centres program, an Australian Government initiative.

For further information please contact: HF@transport.nsw.gov.au.