A Human Factors Comparison of Three Cargo Trucks

Abstract

As part of a U.S. Army field test, three cargo trucks and three truck-tractors were compared on a number of human factors variables. Among the variables were noise level in the passenger compartment and ride quality at the driver's seat. Ride quality was measured in terms of the energy absorbed by the driver as the vehicle traveled over a specified terrain profile at a specified speed. The vehicles were judgmentally evaluated by a sample of 23 drivers on 35 other human factor variables in the categories of adequacy of driver compartment; visibility; instruments; controls; steering, braking and shifting; and ride. Differences were found among the vehicles on most of the variables.