UNIVERSITI KUALA LUMPUR

MALAYSIA ITALY DESIGN INSTITUTE

_________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT 1

Why do we need change in Train Interior?

ERGONOMICS IN RAILWAY - PWB 20303

PREPARED FOR:
Dr. Nik Mohamad Farid Nik Ismail

PREPARED BY:

Name Nor Fatin Nabila Binti Mohamad Zaini

ID Number 58221120081
Program Railway System

SUBMISSION DATELINE:
18 September 2021
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter Content Page

1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Objective 2
3.0 Problem Statement 3
4.0 Ergonomic Element 4
4.1 Ergonomic and Aesthetic 4
4.2 Safety 5
4.3 Healthy 6
4.4 Comfort 7
4.5 Efficiency 8
4.6 Governance 9
5.0 Conclusion 10
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with designing according to the

human needs, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in
order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. The field is also called
human engineering, and human factors engineering.

In conjunction with the necessity of ergonomic in railway subject for a student to

perform an assignment that discussed the needs of ergonomic. In this assignment, a preliminary
study was carried out on the rail economy class for KA Logawa Jember owned by PT. Kereta
Api Indonesia with lines routes of Purwokerto-Jember. It will be concentrating more on the
train interior especially passenger seat. The changes applied ergonomic element using notes
that have been given as a reference and some collection data from the internet.

Logawa was named after a river in Central Java. Logawa River is one of Serayu River
tributaries, streaming from the headwater on the west side of Mount Slamet, and flows on
Purwokerto City west side. Some Indonesian who loves travelling with a mass transportation
like a railway must be be familiar with Logawa Train.

The train offers a long-haul Economy Class for Jember - Purwokerto route. It operates
under Purwokerto Operation Area V and connects the two cities through Jember Station and
Purwokerto Station. The train travels at 45 to 90 kilometers per hour; taking 13 to 14 hours
from Purwokerto to Jember. Logawa Train currently uses Locomotive CC201 and CC206. The
train consists of one locomotive, seven passenger cars for Economy Class, one for buffet and
generator car, and one for luggage car.

1
2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is:

1. To identify the design dimension of existing economy class passenger seat.

The comfort factor is an essential factor for passengers because an unpleasant train journey can
trigger excessive fatigue.

2. To determine the suitability of current economy class passenger seat in relation

with ergonomic.

The seat creates some inconvenience issue for passengers. This is due to the design of the chair
that is not ergonomic.

3. Describe and elaborate the changes in term of ergonomic elements

Creating an ergonomic seating design will provide a sense of comfort and can reduce fatigue.

2
3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Figure 1: Economy class train of KA Logawa Purwokerto-Jember

Indonesian people use trains for their transportation, especially they use economy class
train transportation because it is commoner and has a more accurate schedule than any other
ground transportation. Nevertheless, the economy class passenger seat raises some
inconvenience issues for passengers. This is due to the design of the chair that is not ergonomic.

An ergonomic approach in the design of the passenger seat is a challenge for the chair
designer, due to difficulties of formulating the comfort values for sitting passenger and because
the attitude of sitting is grouped as a dynamic activity in the understanding of ergonomics.
There is no technical reference on the design dimensions of the ergonomic train seat, so it is
necessary to draw the dimensions of the design of the economy class of train passenger seats.
For the convenience of train passengers, the anthropometric of passengers should be in
accordance with the dimensions of the seat.

3
4.0 ERGONOMIC ELEMENTS

4.1 Ergonomic and Aesthetic Element

Design for ergonomics and aesthetics is a successful design process that involves
producing excellent designs while considering human factors and the appearance of the product
when designing. It incorporates all the elements of ergonomics and aesthetics, such as comfort
and visual appeal to produce successful products.

Companies put considerable effort into marketing, developing, and producing products.
Designs which have ergonomics considerations in their hind mind offers safe, comfortable, and
efficient products by factoring human aspects. Ergonomically designed products prevent
fatigue and discomfort.

PROBLEM
• Design of backrest position that is too stiff.

• Design seat high position to erect.

• Design on the distance between all the row of

seat is too narrow.

• Material used for seat cushion and backrest is

stiff.

IMPROVEMENT
• The height of the chair is high in the 95th
percentile sitting position.

• The seat length corresponds to the width of

the 95th percentile anthropometric data and
allow the user’s feet to be comfortably

• supported by the floor or a proper footrest

• The height of the seat allows the legs not to

bend or hang.

• Seat cushion made of polyvinyl foam sponge

material.
.

4
 4.2 Safety Elements
Ergonomics safety ensures that the products, methods, and environment that is uses are
appropriate to fit the passenger requirements and personal capabilities. Safety and ergonomics
are both human factors sciences. Both play an important role in the success of a design or task.

Our feet are out in front of us, not on the floor supporting and stabilizing our body.
These factors, combined with loading and unloading materials and long hours of sitting, can
increase the risk of back injury. Because of the narrow space in between passenger seat and
luggage rack it is very important to be aware of how far, how often, and in what posture a
person is reaching for an object.

PROBLEM
• Don’t have a seat pocket for personal item

• Don’t have an extra luggage space due to

narrow space in seating place.

• The opening door to the coach is small and

passenger will easily be stooping or banging
their head on the door frame.

IMPROVEMENT
• Seat pocket is place in front of the passenger
and at the back of seat passenger.

• Seat pocket can be reached by hand when

sitting.

• Extra luggage place for an extra item.

• Big opening door to the coach that allow

passenger to enter safely.

5
 4.3 Healthy Elements
Ergonomics is a science concerned with the 'fit' between people and their work. It puts
people first, taking account of their capabilities and limitations. Ergonomics aims to make sure
that tasks, equipment, information, and the environment fit each user.

Seats are the most basic and crucial facility, which directly influence the travelling
mood of the passengers. Potential ergonomic stressors from just sitting, may be subjected to
poorly-maintained roads and unsupported seated postures. Maintaining the neutral, or standing
shape of the lumbar, or lower spinal area, is important for comfort and posture. Chairs can give
appropriate and correct lumbar support. This seated lumbar support will help the spine maintain
an S-shaped curve similar to the spine’s shape when standing

PROBLEM
• Pressure points at vulnerable spot behind the
knees which happen if the chair is too high
when dangle the leg.

• Don’t have enough clearance space between

passenger seat and luggage area.

•
Passengers need to sit in a contorted posture
because there is no space for knees and feet.
• Passenger seat and armrest cannot be
adjusted.
IMPROVEMENT
• Passenger seats need to be set up so that it
will have a sufficient space for head, knees,
and feet. This is to prevent bump into things
all the time.

• Passenger seat can be adjusted, the seat up

and down and conform to the contour of the
person spine and give support to the back to
alleviate stress on back muscles while seated.

• It allows passenger to move, stretch and

change position often.

• Armrests help relieve neck, shoulder, and

back stress. It can provide good surface area
for the arm to contact so that pressure
between an arm and armrest is minimize

6
 4.4 Comfort Elements
A comfortable seat is one of the key factors for ride comfort. It is directly related to the
satisfaction of passengers. It was suggested that the level of seat comfort was on par with the
functional and aesthetic design of automobiles. The environment in which work is performed
can directly and indirectly affect not only to the comfort and health of people, but also the
quality and efficiency of the work being done.

A proper seat length is important so that the user will be able to use the backrest of the
seat to support the lumbar spine without compression of the popliteal surface. Moreover, when
the seat length is less than the buttock popliteal length of the subjects, the thigh would not be
supported enough.

PROBLEM
• Uncomfortable backrest position that is too
rigid and don’t support the head.

• Uncomfortable seat high position to stiff and

causing backpain to passenger for long
journey.

• The width of the chair is not adjusted to size

of the hip.

• The distance between all the row of seat is too

narrow causing aching or cramping on leg.

IMPROVEMENT
• A suitable seat that meets the passenger needs
where it can support the back to head.

• The seat depth corresponds to the popliteal

length of the 5th percentile anthropometric
data

• The depth of the seat corresponds to the

length of the fold in the knee to the buttock.

• The width of the chair is corresponded to the

size of the hips

7
 4.5 Efficiency Elements

Ergonomics is the key to efficiency, productivity, and health. When narrowing option
for ergonomic passenger seat there is a lot of variety and option to choose from. It’s designed
to provide support to the body. Passenger comfort is importance for a long journey ride hence
it is ergonomic change that can improve the efficiency.

Comfort refers to a level of satisfied that the user feels when using a product and how
acceptable the product is to user as means of achieving their goals. The utility of an item is the
only true measure of the quality of its design. Making an item intuitive and comfortable to use
will ensure its success in the marketplace.

PROBLEM
• Improper lighting cause straining body or
eyes

• Type of air conditioning system used is not

suitable as it does not cover the whole space.

• Expose to poor air (moisture, dust, humidity)

IMPROVEMENT
• Switching to natural lighting support good
moods.

• Good air conditioning system and control the

temperature will make the room comfortable.

• Implementing adjustable desk help passenger

keep doing their work and chose anything to
do.

• Good scheme color for interior can help

passenger as the right color can make people
feel more relaxed.

8
 4.6 Governance Elements

Governance can be defined as: “The system by which entities are directed and
controlled. It is concerned with structure and processes for decision making, accountability,
control, and behavior at the top of an entity. Governance influences how an organizations
objectives are set and achieved, how risk is monitored and addressed and how performance is
optimized”. An effective governance structure will assure that available workplace resources
are effectively employed to meet program’s objective.

Transportation plays a very important and strategic role because the mobility of the
people from one place to another requires transportation services. Along with the increasing
numbers of human's needs for goods and services, it is increasingly important to have a good
role in transportation mode. In this context, transportation serves as the economic artery
because transport can be made by the movement of people and goods.

The economic benefits of transport infrastructure investment are long-term

competitiveness, productivity, innovation, lower production prices, and higher revenues.
Investment in transport infrastructure also creates thousands of jobs shortly. A well-performing
transport network opens employment, enabling businesses to grow and lower down the price
of home appliances.

9
5.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it can be concluded that the economy class passenger train seats need a
new dimension of an economy class passenger that is more ergonomic this is because the seat
raise inconvenience issue for the passenger especially on comfort factor. Moreover,
uncomfortable train journey can cause fatigue so it is essential in creating an ergonomic seating
design that will provide a sense of comfort and can reduce fatigue.

The key factor in giving passenger satisfaction during a long period journey is a greatest
comfort and safety possible in ergonomically design passenger seat. Passenger will experience
a pleasant throughout the journey. Incorporating authentic ergonomic design not only good for
passenger safety, well-being, and happiness, it is also good for the company that can gain more
passenger in the future.

Transport infrastructure investment in economic development is important to facilitate

the mobility of goods and services that facilitate the relationship between remote and growth
centers. The smooth flow of goods and services will stimulate economic activity increasing
household income. Increased production activities in the transportation sector affect the
activities in other sectors, to provide an increase in the economy of the community. The
effectiveness of investment in transport infrastructure to improve the economy and provide
benefits to the community depends on the utilization of transportation facilities by producers
and consumers as well as the leading sectors.

10