Row: The Bus Designed with the Driver in Mind
Loading...
Date
2021-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, public transit bus drivers put their lives on the line to provide the essential service of transportation. Bus drivers risk contracting COVID-19, at the same time, cases of violence towards drivers have increased. Even before the pandemic, bus drivers have been experiencing both verbal and physical assaults from irate and intoxicated passengers. These assaults are often due to fare disputes; however, bus delays and racial tensions are also contributing factors for passenger rage. Despite these issues, many bus drivers still value interacting with passengers.
Row, a concept electric bus designed with the driver in mind, aims to address these issues that bus drivers face. Row features a separate driver cabin made achievable by switching the location of the front wheels and front door of a bus. This separate cabin protects drivers from interactions with potential COVID-19 positive passengers and irate passengers. Drivers will no longer facilitate fare payment, thus preventing fare disputes. Fare payment is made convenient and accessible to passengers at kiosks at bus stops and convenience stores. Passenger can also pay their fare and speak to the driver through the Row website. Drivers can open the cabin door or the cabin window to allow for socially distanced conversations. The layout of the bus increases passenger seating and permits them to sit closer to the driver cabin to allow for interaction. Row acts to protect drivers from COVID-19 and prevent violence from passengers, without eliminating all passenger and driver interactions.
Description
Keywords
bus driver safety, Covid-19, bus design