Bombardier Transportation’s human factors team has been recognised for its attention to ergonomics in the design of a new rolling-stock train for the London Underground.

The eight-car S Stock train is currently in use on the Metropolitan Line and the needs of drivers are met by in-cab monitors, a sit/stand workstation and provision of an adjustable seat and footrest. Passengers are also benefitting from air conditioning, wide open gangways and wheelchair spaces. A slightly modified seven-car train will be introduced next year on the Circle, District, and Hammersmith and City lines.

The firm beat four other finalists to win the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors’ (IEHF) Ergonomic Design Award at the Institute’s Ergonomics Human Factors Conference on 13 April. The award recognises the role of ergonomics and human factors in successful product design.

Manager in industrial design & human factors at Bombardier, Simon Cran, explained: "Bombardier is very proud of its S Stock MOVIA metro and invested a lot of time and effort to ensure that the travelling environment was a central part of the design process. 
 
“The S Stock design team not only included human factors professionals, industrial designers and engineers from Bombardier but the customer, London Underground, was an integral member of the design team, with additional input from other key stakeholders and user groups. 
 


“The application of good human factors processes and practices represents a step change in train design for Bombardier. We are delighted to have been given this award, which is true recognition of the work that went into designing this metro.”