Anthropometry Survey of Nigerian Occupational Bus Drivers to Facilitate Sustainable Design of Driver’s Workplace ()
Received 5 March 2016; accepted 7 May 2016; published 10 May 2016
1. Introduction
Human body characteristic has become uniquely an important research area due to demand it poses on wears, furniture, workspace, engineering facilities and design of all manually operated systems. Among other studies of biological systems, anthropometric survey is an area that is rarely research in spite of its significance to the comfort, safety and performance of human operator of any facility. Anthropometry is the science of measurement and the art of application that establishes the physical geometry, mass properties, and strength capabilities of the human body. It is concerned with the scientific study of human subjects for the development of standards and evolving of specific demands associated specifically with manufactured goods and services to enhance product usability and suitability for the user population [1] - [3] . The applications of anthropometry in workplace design cannot be over emphasised which involve evaluation of postures, specification between controls and human operator/surrounding equipment as well as biomechanical analysis of forces and torque [4] - [6] . The least expectation from ergonomic designed workplace is to be able to accommodate extreme users typically from a 5th percentile woman to a 95th percentile man. Anthropometric data have varied uses the design of virtually every equipment, tool, automobile, clothing, shoes etc. that are being used or operated upon by human being. Also in public health including the evaluation of nutritional status, cancer studies, as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) [7] .
It has been found that the taxi cabs used in Nigeria for public transport are in varieties of models in several variety of models sourced from advanced countries such as United State of America (USA), Germany, Japan, France, Europe and other developing countries like China, South Africa and India. These vehicles evidently were designed without due consideration for the peculiarities of anthropometric variable of Nigeria user population [8] . Ghosh et al. in their comparative study of the variability of anthropometric data among two communities observe that some of the variables such abdominal disposition differs significantly which suggest the high level of sensitivity that these morphological features assume [9] .
The current ergonomic challenges faced by generally developing nations and Nigeria in particular include the absence of sustainable and structured anthropometric data bank. A number of anthropometric surveys of Nigerian available in literature are in pockets of research outputs with little or no consideration for implementation.
The automotive industry strongly encourages research in the field of objective comfort assessment, of seat and the related postures [10] [11] . Despite the efforts of several automobile manufacturers to develop new safe and user friendly vehicle workplace which increases its usability in terms of seat comfort, ease of reach of other in-vehicle’s components, there is still a prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) commonly reported among occupational drivers [12] [13] . Some other important factors that should be considered in the design of in-vehicle elements are related to human body dimensions of the drivers particularly in designing of automobile seat, dashboard, steering wheel, pedals, knobs, levers, and doors [14] - [17] .
This work seeks to make further contribution to such efforts and to create an anthropometric database that finds useful applications in the design of bus driver’s workspace. Ergonomics design of automobile is highly essential in the choice of model of vehicle that can be acceptable to Nigeria user population and in the legislation regarding importation of automobile in to the country [8] [13] .
2. Materials and Method
A proportionate random sampling was done from each of the six major bus stations in the South western part of Nigeria. The sample size considered was determined using the procedures outlined in International Standard Organization (ISO) 15535 [17] . A sample size of one hundred and sixty-one bus drivers was selected for the study. Fifteen (15) anthropometric variables relating to seating posture were measured and characterised. The procedure for taking anthropometric measurement of subjects is quite technical and it requires the use of three trained enumerators and reliable anthropometric equipment. All measurements were taken with subject. Linear measurements considered in three dimensional plane as follows: 1) Sagittal Plane-Vertical Dimensions (e.g. Sitting Height Normal, Sitting Height Erect, Eye Height Sitting, Shoulder Height Sitting, 2) Sagittal Plane ? Horizontal Dimensions (e.g. Forearm Hand Length Buttock-Popliteal Length, Buttock-Knee Length, Anterior Arm Reach; and 3) Frontal Plane (e.g. Shoulder Breadth, Elbow-to-Elbow Breadth, Hip Breadth Sitting, Knee- to-Knee Breadth, Foot Breadth, were all measured in centimetres while weights and ages are recorded in kilograms (kg) and years (yr) respectively. Four enumerators who have received adequate training on the process and procedure as well as the use of the equipment involved were used in conduct of the study. Likewise, the subjects were given a brief but well packaged orientation just before commencement of the measurement at their bus garages to inform them on objectives and benefits of the survey. Demographic characteristics and other personal details of the subjects were collected using structure questionnaire. The equipment which was used for the measurements includes stadiometer, a variable anthropometer, anthropometric seat, graduated measuring tape, and a bathroom weighing scale. As part of the procedure the subjects were asked to stand on the platform of the stadiometer and the pointer is moved to obtain the stature of each subject and in turn sit on the anthropometric seat, its arms were adjusted according to the subject’s height and measurement was recorded from the vertical scale. In a similar form, other measurements were recorded in sitting and standing postures with the help of anthropometer. The measurements were evaluated on descriptive statistics such as the mean, standard deviation (sd), range and 5th, 50th, 95th percentiles using Excel Microsoft and STATA 11.0 data processing tools.
3. Results and Discussion
The population under study was absolutely male dominant with age range of 20 - 60 years, over 60 percent were 30 years and above which suggests relatively matured working population and married being 93%. Less than 1% has higher education certificate while only fifty-two percent of the driver’s school certificate holder. This could have significantly adverse implication on driver’s level of understanding of road safety rule, regulations and repairs and maintenance instructions. The average stature of the respondents is about 176 cm (sd = 5.16) and the 95 percentile of the standing height is 186 cm. Majority of the respondents (95%) weigh less than 85 kg with mean weight of 74 kg (sd = 6.7). Table 1 shows the anthropometric measurement of the drivers arranged according to order of planes (Sagittal Plane-Vertical Dimension (I), Sagittal Plane-Horizontal Dimension (II), Frontal Plane III) and weight (IV). This represent anthropometric model for the commercial bus drivers in the study area. A comparison of the model with similar models obtained for molue drivers [18] , taxi drivers [8] . Ismail et al. show no significant difference at p = 0.05 for all the variables considered [19] (Table 2). It is important to note that all the subjects in the surveys were from the same geo-political zone of Nigeria. However, a further comparison of the model with those of other study areas specifically the South West [18] and South- Eastern [20] show significant differences (p = 0.05) at some of anthropometric variables as statures, sitting height normal, and elbow rest height, buttock knee length and hip length (Table 3). This suggests that the influence of ethnicity cannot be overruled in anthropometric modelling. Such effect may however, fizzle out in the face of multi-ethnic population as found in capital cities and other commercial hubs of the country.
Table 4 presents the comparison of the mean ratio of buttock popliteal length to stature of different population and group. This ratio was specifically considered because of its direct application to design of seat. The activities of automobile driver is carried out in sitting posture and for many tasks in other occupation sitting is more common and convenient than any other posture. For design of driver’s seat, it necessary to consider buttock popliteal length of the operator to obtain comfortable seat depth. The mean ratio obtained for south western Nigeria are almost the same possibly because the population under consideration are drivers. Significant difference exists in the case of passenger and agricultural workers having mean rations 0.3001 and 0.2962 respectively. The case of other nations there is similar in the mean ratios of Russia and Germany however both are considerably deferent from that of the present study. This suggests the need for adjustable mechanism of the seat depth which is conspicuously missing in the seat system of the busses imported into Nigeria.
The applications of anthropometric variable in the design of in-vehicle of bus are shown in Table 5. Mismatch between the characteristics of driver workspace and demands of human operators have resulted to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated etiological effects. For instance a good number of the bus drivers patronises local herbals and hawkers of concussions to get medication for pains, strains and discomforts experienced after the day’s work. Cumulative Trauma Syndrome (CTS) have also been related to awkward postural challenges occasioned by poor design of seat system of the buses. About sixty-eight percent of the buses operated by the driver had failed seat adjustable features hence constraining them awkward posture which they had to maintain for as long as the driving lasts. Also noted was that eighty-five percent of the vehicles was used foreign vehicles (refers to as Tokunbo) some of which were in the state of disused imported into the country. Where there is no functional policy guiding importation of automobile these Tokunbos find easy entry into nation market. Price variation between brand new bus and Tokunbo of the same mode is very large enough to influence the choice of an average Nigerian majority of who live below two dollars per day. Prevalence of discomfort and other musculoskeletal disorder renders the workplace of the operator unsustainable needing modifications. Some
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Table 1. Anthropometric data of bus operators (n = 161).
All dimensions were measured in centimetres (cm) except weight which is in kilogram (kg).
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Table 2. Comparison of anthropometric data of bus operators with past related works obus and taxicab operators’ anthropometry in Nigeria.
All variables were measured in centimetres (cm).
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Table 3. Comparison of anthropometric data of automobile operators from related works in Nigeria.
All variables were measured in centimetres (cm).
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Table 4. Comparison of buttock-popliteal length to stature ratio with other ethnic populations of the world.
drivers end up deforming the workspace through some form of ill-informed adjustments and reworks (through fabrication of certain attachment) done on some elements of the workspace. Result of this survey bring to light the needed database that manufacturer of automobile can use in manufacture of user friendly driver workplace.
4. Conclusion
It was observed that Nigeria had been made a dumping ground for disused items including automobiles the picture that the present government ought to address with deep sense of responsibility. There is great need to enact and enforce importation policy on automobile in Nigeria. This would drive the auto manufacturers who like to trade with country to take up responsibility of supporting research in the area of ergonomic suitability of their product to Nigeria users which effort will impact positively on the comfortable, safe, and performance of operator of the engineering system. Alongside with the demographic content of the population of Nigeria, government should consider including the collection of anthropometric data of different age structure of her population. Design
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Table 5. Applications of body dimensions in the in-vehicle design of bus.
for sustainability of a vehicle with careful consideration of the physical limitations of the driver is a requirement for user-friendly, comfortable and effective drivers-vehicle system. This enhances acceptability, performance and productivity among bus operators and encourages healthy competition within automotive industry. A public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement is suggested for successful development of national anthropometric database which will involve representative of organised drives’ associations, manufacturer, researchers and information scientists.
NOTES
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*Corresponding author.