Ergonomic principles of underground locomotive design: guidelines for designers. An investigation of underground haulage and transport systems: Appendix B. Final report on CEC Contract 7245-11/8/052

We evaluated in detail five different types of National Coal Board underground locomotives as part of a three-year ECSC sponsored project on Haulage and Transport Systems.The locomotives examined were a common double-ended diesel locomotive, a common double-ended battery electric locomotive, a new high-speed locomotive, a new trapped rail locomotive and a low-height locomotive. Eleven other types of locomotive were observed as and when the opportunity arose, providing examples of single-ended locomotives, gate road locomotives and a ‘rack’ locomotive.As a result of the evaluations we devised ergonomic guidelines for underground locomotive designers. The aim of the guidelines is to ensure that new locomotive designs satisfy ergonomic principles so far as is practically possible.The guidelines are in sections dealing with the following aspects: Cab Workspace and Control Location; Seat Design; Cab Access/Egress; Control layout; Control Design; Displays and Cab Illumination; Headlighting and Visibility; Auditory Factors and Communication; Whole Body Vibration; Maintenance; Coupling Operations; and Fire Precautions.Within each section of the handbook, the ergonomic problems are outlined and discussed; ergonomic criteria which should ideally be satisfied by new designs are listed; and specific design guidelines are given which take into account, as far as possible, the practicalities of locomotive operation. “”