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Wang L, Yu S, Chen D, Li W, Chu J, Fan H. Effects of aircraft tray table height and neck posture on passenger comfort: A study of the economy class cabin. Work 2022; 75:287-302. [PMID: 36591679 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tray table in economy class air travel may cause excessive neck flexion and discomfort in passengers. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of different tray table heights on the neck posture and discomfort perception of passengers. METHODS A passenger experience survey was used to determine the passengers' view that the tray table was not high enough, and that most passengers were dissatisfied with the overall comfort evaluation of the tray table, especially passengers with obesity. Three head-neck angles and discomfort perceptions of six body parts in 58 participants were recorded by neck posture 3D scanning and perceived level of discomfort assessment, respectively. RESULTS Tray tables at the original height (68 cm) caused unnatural neck posture and discomfort in participants. Raising the tray table can improve the neck posture of participants and reduce discomfort. However, raising the tray table too high will cause more shoulder discomfort in participants. Based on the results, 78 (±2) cm is suggested as the suitable thresholds range of tray tables for economy class air travel. CONCLUSION The results and findings of this study could provide a theoretical base for the optimization of tray table design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Suihuai Yu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dengkai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianjie Chu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Fan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Design and Ergonomics, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Shaanxi Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Design, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Miller EL, Lapp SM, Parkinson MB. The effects of seat width, load factor, and passenger demographics on airline passenger accommodation. ERGONOMICS 2019; 62:330-341. [PMID: 30604652 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2018.1550209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this work is to demonstrate a method for examining the competing effects of secular trends in body size, seat size and configuration, and the increased load factor of aeroplanes. The method uses statistical modelling and virtual fit testing to provide a flexible environment for exploring the impact of various parameters on passenger accommodation. A case study demonstrates the method by exploring the effect of seat width on the accommodation of US civilians (based on seated hip breadth). The case study demonstrates that recent trends of decreasing seat widths and increasing load factors lead to higher disaccommodation. Based on anthropometry and virtual fit, women are also shown to be disproportionately disaccommodated compared to men. Practitioner summary: Airlines are reducing seat width at the same time that individuals worldwide are getting larger. Flights are increasingly crowded, with load factor at a record high. This paper explores the effects of seat width on passenger accommodation under several scenarios involving load factor, demographics, and passenger seating allocation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Miller
- a Department of Mechanical Engineering , The Pennsylvania State , University Park , PA , USA
| | - Samuel M Lapp
- b Department of Engineering Design , The Pennsylvania State , University Park , PA , USA
| | - Matthew B Parkinson
- c Department of Engineering Design and Department of Mechanical Engineering , The Pennsylvania State , University Park , PA , USA
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Mozo MV, Finucane FM, Flaherty GT. Health challenges of international travel for obese patients. J Travel Med 2017; 24:4191321. [PMID: 29088479 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mico V Mozo
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Francis M Finucane
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Bariatric Medicine Service, Galway Diabetes Research Centre and Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility, Galway, Ireland.,National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Galway, Ireland
| | - Gerard T Flaherty
- School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,National Institute for Preventive Cardiology, Galway, Ireland.,School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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