Title: Using visibility tools in Classic JACK to assess line-of-sight issues associated with the operation of mobile equipment

Authors: Tammy Eger, Alison Godwin, Sylvain Grenier

Addresses: School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada. ' School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada. ' School of Human Kinetics, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada

Abstract: Several methods exist for measuring line-of-sight (LOS) associated with the operation of operator controlled mobile equipment but there is no consistent criteria used for all machine types or operating scenarios. Moreover, the standards that do exist are not particularly applicable for carrying out LOS analysis on mobile mining equipment. This paper describes a new method to evaluate LOS associated with the operation of mobile equipment, the LOS boxplot. The human simulation program, Classic JACK was used to analyse LOS from the operating position of five different load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles, typically used in underground hardrock mining. The LOS boxplot method was able to demonstrate LOS associated with five LHD vehicles, and it was able to illustrate LOS improvements associated with the design modifications tested. The examples provided also show the applicability of the method for evaluating operator LOS from other types of heavy equipment.

Keywords: line-of-sight analysis; mobile mining equipment; equipment operator line-of-sight; visibility; Classic JACK; seated operating posture; ISO 5006; visibility assessment; human factors; modelling; simulation; mobile equipment; load-haul-dump vehicles; LHD vehicles; heavy equipment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFMS.2010.040274

International Journal of Human Factors Modelling and Simulation, 2010 Vol.1 No.4, pp.406 - 419

Received: 16 Nov 2009
Accepted: 01 Jun 2010
Published online: 22 May 2011 *

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