<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/09/catching-the-bus-can-be-a-bumpy-ride-heres-how-we-can-make-it-more-comfortable-according-to-experts>
"Catching the bus can be a jarring experience – the engine shudders, the driver
accelerates and brakes, jolting passengers in their seats – but researchers say
there are solutions for a smoother ride.
Dr Anna Lidfors Lindqvist, an engineer at the University of Technology Sydney,
said bus passengers were exposed to “whole body vibrations”, from the engine
and uneven road surfaces, as well as jolting as drivers navigated heavy traffic
to drop off and pick up passengers.
“If you’ve caught the bus, especially in the city area, you can sometimes
experience a bumpy ride,” she said.
Lidfors Lindqvist was a co-author of new research measuring the vibrations
passengers were exposed to on 30 Sydney bus routes, publishing the results in
Nature’s
Scientific Reports.
“Jerk” was a key cause of passenger discomfort, she said, experienced when the
bus brakes and accelerates – a problem in Sydney during peak hour.
The study listed several things that could make catching the bus a more
comfortable experience.
Better suspension and seat design could help dampen the bouncing that occurred
during start-stop movements which would particularly benefit older people who
run a higher risk of injury from jolts.
Installing the seats specially designed for bus drivers, or used in coaches,
Lidfors Lindqvist added, for all passengers would yield better comfort and
safety than the bench-style typically found in buses.
Monitoring driver behaviour could also lessen the jolts, she found, and may
have benefits for fuel consumption.
Transport planning academic, Dr Iain Lawrie, said buses were often considered
public transport’s “poor cousin” – a noisy, uncomfortable and inconvenient mode
of travel compared to trains and trams.
But buses played an important role in the transport system, he said. “We can’t
afford to bring light rail or trains within walking distance of everyone’s
house.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
