RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ERGONOMIC CONDITION WORKPLACE AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CARGO TRANSPORTATION PROCESS

Abstract

The article presents the results of an experimental and analytical study of how the ergonomic condition of the driver’s workplace influences the efficiency of the transport process during the operation of freight vehicles. The aim of the study is to establish quantitative relationships between the ergonomic characteristics of the cabin and key performance indicators such as fuel consumption, average driving speed, vibration level, and driver productivity. The research was conducted on a sample of 20 identical vehicles with 80 measurement cycles, and an integral ergonomic index ranging from 2 to 10 points was determined for each driver. The methodology included measuring fuel consumption using a combined approach (on-board computer data and the “refill” method), GPS-based analysis of movement speed, registration of vibration loads at the “driver–seat” interface, and statistical data processing. It was found that an increase in the ergonomic index from 2 to 10 points leads to a reduction in fuel consumption from 13.9 to 8.8 L/100 km (–36.7%), which is confirmed by a very strong negative correlation. The average speed increases from 43.0 to 54.6 km/h, indicating improved driving stability and reduced psychophysiological strain on the driver. The vibration level within 0.50–1.22 m/s2 shows an indirect relationship caused mainly by changes in speed regimes, while productivity was largely determined by route-specific factors. Based on the obtained data, regression models were developed to predict operational performance indicators depending on the ergonomic index. The results confirm that improving the ergonomic parameters of the driver’s workplace is an effective means of enhancing energy efficiency, driving stability, and the overall safety of transport operations.