Our first aim was to measure, characterize and compare tri-axial Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exposures among bus drivers by simultaneously collecting traditional time weighted average and raw, continuous impulsive WBV exposure data. Using commercial hardware and USB-based GPS loggers, we can now collect, evaluate and compare WBV exposures by vehicle, road type, and speed. This system literally allows us to graphically animate a bus driver’s WBV exposures over geographical maps enabling the identification of WBV exposure hot spots. The second aim was characterize potential determinants of bus driver WBV exposures including road types, seat types, and bus types. Finally, the third aim was to evaluate intervention strategies to reduce a bus driver’s WBV exposures. As a result of our research and significant findings, there were three major translational outcomes. The first translational outcome was a bus driver’s WBV exposures will be dependent on the type of bus being operated and the type of road being traversed. With our measured WBV exposures, we were able to determine the number of hours a day a bus driver can operate the bus without overexposing themselves to WBV. In general, a route with speed humps will limit acceptable driving exposures from 1 to 6 hours a day, a route with consisting predominantly of freeway driving will limit acceptable driving exposures from 6 to 8 hours a day, and a route predominantly consisting of city driving will limit acceptable driving exposures from 7 to 12 hours a day. The second major translational finding was that the current, industry standard air suspension seats sold and used in almost all urban and city buses are not well suited for buses since they predominantly amplify rather than attenuate a bus driver’s exposure to WBV, especially at moderate to high speeds. Finally, our last major translatable outcome was that our research identified three viable seat technologies which will reduce a bus driver’s exposure to WBV. First, our research identified and demonstrated that height-adjustable, static (non-air suspension) pedestal seats were more effective in reducing a bus driver’s exposure to WBV compared to the current industry standard air suspension bus driver seats. Second, our research demonstrated that a special, integrated air-bladder seat cushion could substantially reduce a bus driver’s exposure to WBV (between 25 to 30%) when compared to the current foam seat cushions sold as the standard shock absorbing material in all commercially manufactured bus seats. Finally, when commercially available, active suspension seat designed for semi-trucks is adapted and installed in buses, our research indicated that this active suspension seat substantially reduced a bus driver’s exposure to WBV (between 30 to 60%) when compared to the current industry standard air suspension bus driver seat. The new seat technologies identified in this grant will not only increase the number of hours a bus driver can operate a bus without overexposing themselves to WBV, but may also ultimately reduce the occurrence, severity and cost of occupation injuries associated with bus-related exposures to WBV.
Using New Technologies to Characterize and Reduce Whole Body Vibration Exposures
2013
10 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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