A WHOLE NEW WORLD

For more than a decade, as part of its MSc in Railways Systems Integration, Birmingham University has included an Ergonomics module. A week long, the module has maintained a pragmatic approach; covering core ergonomics and... [ view full abstract ]

For more than a decade, as part of its MSc in Railways Systems Integration, Birmingham University has included an Ergonomics module. A week long, the module has maintained a pragmatic approach; covering core ergonomics and human factors topics and techniques such as user requirements, task analysis, environment assessment, inclusive design and fitting trials. According to student feedback, the highlight of the week – both in terms of learning benefit and engagement – is the practical assignment which is conducted in small groups of 3-5 members. Each year the assignments vary slightly, but the essential aspects remain consistently to conduct half-day site visits of stations and train journeys in and around the West Midlands to identify areas of potential ergonomics improvement. The groups then generate and evaluate design concepts to address one specific issue. Over the course of a further day, mock-ups are assembled and trialled by other people from the university. This paper presents overviews of six (or ten??) of these projects to illustrate the breadth and depth of what can be achieved by students typically drawn from engineering and management roles within the rail industry, armed with only a brief introduction to ergonomics and a fresh view of the world in which they operate.