Ergonomics plays a massive role in the future of Transportation Design. While its existence and importance are already felt in the current transportation sector, brilliantly exhibited by their design, there is still a large scope to experiment with Ergonomics in Transportation Design. But before delving deep into it, let’s learn what ‘Ergonomics’ is all about, and what all does it entails.
To put it simply, Ergonomics is the study of human beings in their work environment. It is a branch of scientific study where people’s surroundings in a work environment are closely studied in an attempt to make it better for the human body. Things such as furniture, tools, products, office layout, lights, color, etc., are all designed in a way to best fit the human body and our cognitive abilities.
Even intangible things, such as services, office timings, environmental noise, smell, etc., all become part of Ergonomics. It is essential to design them effectively to reduce human problems such as discomfort, fatigue, and injuries. Simultaneously, it also improves efficiency, well-being, and effectiveness.
Ergonomics plays a huge part in the office culture, in our day-to-day lives. But with an improved lifestyle that more families can afford now, the importance of Ergonomics has shifted to other areas of life, most specifically ‘Transportation.’
Gone are the days when Transportation design was only about its operation and efficiency. Vehicles are much more than just a transportation system, and customers’ demands are a clear indicator of this. To meet such demands, Transportation Designers are coming up with newer and innovative ways to design their vehicles.
It isn’t just efficiency, it’s also about the aesthetics. But what forms a perfect cushion between aesthetics and efficiency is ‘Ergonomics’.
How comfortable are you inside your car while driving? Is your seat comfortable enough to go on long drives? Do you have vehicle interiors that are optimized and easy to access? Do you have intuitive design interfaces that are easy to operate? These are some, among the many questions, that get floated around in a firm while designing a vehicle. The answers to these questions cater to the ergonomic needs of a vehicle.
Let’s consider the ‘Pillion’ in a bike or a bicycle. It provides extra comfort to the rider sitting in the back, especially handy while going on a long ride. The seats themselves are designed to provide adequate support, but on top of that, long rides stretch the back muscles of any person and activate pressure points. A ‘Pillion’, therefore, helps reduce those pressure points, improving passenger comfort.
The seats inside a four-wheeler are also designed keeping the same comfort pointers in mind. They are usually made out of premium material, they can lean backward to a greater degree, and they are easy on the body. It reduces the chance of musculoskeletal issues and other back-related spasms.
They provide adequate support to the driver as well as the passengers, and they minimize fatigue. These ergonomic features won’t remain a class-defined luxury feature on a vehicle anymore. They will be much more mass-produced, and part of the reason behind it is the improved financial conditions of people.
More people in India now belong to the HNWI (High Net Worth Individuals) and UHNWI (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals) than ever before. This has also given rise to the Luxury Industry in India, a luxury boom that no one predicted.
However, the same demographic is responsible for bringing about the ergonomic revolution in Transportation Design. With the addition of design features that make it more comfortable to sit, to relax, to drive, and easier to access all sorts of vehicle layouts, it is going to make vehicles much more expensive. But that might not be an issue, owing to the rising economic conditions of people.
Safety enhancement will be a far more imperative measure to fall under the Ergonomic design. By making controls easier to access, drivers will be required to make fewer movements while driving, thus reducing the chances of accidents.
Positioning of the rearview mirror, the efficiency of a windshield wiper, placement of the headrest, seatbelt length, ease of access, handrails, and many other minute design features will make the overall design of the automobile far safer and comfortable. This will be an important measure going forward, which would boost the importance and need for ergonomic design in automobile models.
Lastly, the adaptation and inclusion of new, emerging technology into ergonomic design is always going to be a must-have option in the future. Things such as intuitive controls, smart transportation systems, and new mobility concepts are all going to improve and enhance accessibility in transportation options.
Therefore, owing to so many features that not only provide comfort to us, but also make it a necessity for better safety, and improved efficiency, the adoption of ‘Ergonomic Principles’ is the way of the future in Transportation Design.
In its fullest essence, Ergonomic doesn’t just make transportation comfortable. It isn’t just a luxury benefit, but far more than that. The fact that vehicles become smarter actually helps human drivers in making better decisions during moments of crisis. It provides a safety net, on top of the already-existing safety nets available.
It makes driving enjoyable, even appealing to the largest masses who would’ve otherwise hesitated to drive a car. This, in turn, has ripple effects, which generate higher sales of automotive products. Thus, once again solidifying the notion that Ergonomics is the future of transportation design.
The serene part about ergonomics is that it works as a net positive. One feature enhances the other, which enhances another. A design feature that is meant to provide comfort might inadvertently lead to a better driving experience brought on by that comfort. Similarly, a seat cover designed in a way to provide better comfort and less fatigue might also allow a driver to drive long distances without breaks, cutting down the time required to traverse a journey. T
his way, ergonomics brings about a total and holistic positive approach to Transportation. Hence, there is no doubt that ergonomics is and will be the future of transportation design.
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