Using Digital Human Modelling to Evaluate Field of View for Articulating Devices on Railway Engineering Vehicles 2005-01-2677

The aim of the current study was to construct a model of a road rail vehicle in JACK and investigate the view of the articulating arm of the machine for human models of different stature in test conditions simulating a digging task and a lifting task. The JACK software was also used to determine the likely effects on operator comfort of postural adjustments which would be required to see different parts of the articulating arm. Modelling of the tasks using JACK has been a useful first step in identifying the limitations in the field of view for vehicle operators of different statures. The use of the view cones in JACK have been evaluated and the simulations have highlighted the potential for discomfort arising from postural adjustments which would be necessary in the tasks. Further research on operators' postures and visual strategies during real world digging and lifting tasks is now necessary.