A computer aided ergonomics tool to support accessible transport design

Accessible design is being promoted through concepts such as ‘Design for All’. This is an approach to design that aims to maximise the accessibility of a product, environment, or service through the provision of a solution that accommodates the needs of all users including those who are older or disabled. To support a ‘Design for All’ approach a computer aided design and analysis tool called HADRIAN has been developed. Initial developments addressed the provision of accurate and applicable data on the target users together with a means of using the data for ergonomics evaluations during the concept stages of design. This paper details some of this initial development together with the current focus for the HADRIAN system, namely that of transport design. The novel aspect of this research moves the focus away from isolated design problems such as the accessible design of a train or taxi, onto the concept of the journey and the system of design problems that must be addressed in order to create truly accessible transport.