AN ERGONOMICS ASSESSMENT OF PASSENGER SEATS IN BUSES IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

SUMMARY: The objective of the study was to survey and obtain the anthropometric data of users of passenger buses and examine the possible mismatch between their relevant dimensions and the seats they sit on when in these buses. Two hundred passengers participated in the study with ages ranging from 20 years to 55 years. Eleven anthropometric measurements were taken. Also, the dimensions of the locally fabricated seats in 30 Toyota Hiace buses were measured. The means, standard deviations, fifth, fiftieth and ninety fifth percentiles were calculated. Moreover, the passengers’ body dimensions and seat dimensions were compared. The results showed a degree of mismatch between the passengers' bodily dimensions and the seat dimensions. It was thus concluded that the anthropometric data of the Nigerian passengers was not employed in the manufacture of the seats in the buses. This may be an indication that seats in the buses and passengers’ anthropometric dimensions are at variant nationwide.