Human Element in Transportation

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Table of content

Title page………………………………………………………………………………….1

Table of content……………………………………………………………………………2

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..3

Human Element…………………………………………….……………………………..3

Human Factor……………………………………………………………………………..4

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………7

Reference………………………………………………………………………………….8

1. Introduction

Transportation is defined as the movement of goods, people and animals from one location to another through air, rail, road pipeline or water. The definition narrowly describes the main aim of transportation that is provision of economic and social benefits and opportunities. Efficient transport systems allow better market accessibility and investments. The services allow mobility of goods and people which is the fundamental role of transportation and it is a reliable indicator of development. A transportation account for around 10% Growth Development Product (GDP).Production of vehicles sustain the growth of societies and encourages economic contribution since United states has one of the largest manufacturing industries. Through transportation various activities are undertaken and this decreases the unemployment rate leading to employment of skilled labor. Drivers (truck, cranes, forklift, and vans), pilots, seafarers, accountants, turn boys, store keeper, packager and without all the above individuals, no amount of work can take place.

2. Human element in Transportation

The human element in transportation is evident in the levels of output. All means of transport rely on human element to coordinate or run their daily activities. (Hall, 1999) People are the core of most transport industries as they are the success of the company and the victims of failure. Human element is what takes place in the transport sector from routine tasks to policy decisions this are based on human understanding. Humans carry each a different set of skills that would be efficient in the daily routine task e.g. service engineers, store keepers, crane drivers and cart pullers they all make the human element in transportation.

3. Human Factors

Investing in training is a method that could strengthen the capabilities of workforce and reduces risk of potential pitfalls. This type of investment is necessary to reduce incidences, accidents workload fatigue and stress. Better working conditions are also important to get caliber recruits and increase quality while reducing adverse incidents. Transport would also receive loses through incompetent adviser on financial matters. Automation investments reduce company expenses but are interlinked with training investment as without training any activity would take place. Optimal activity is achieved when a personnel e.g. a driver of s cranes is given adequate training. When a ship is at sea it is prone to mechanical problems thus trained personnel can intervene and fix the mechanical problems that have developed. Management risk and resources should be efficiently and effectively handled to ensure adequate maintenance (Stanton, 2012).

Machines have programming skills but humans have the five senses that are critical in making sense of situation. All automated machinery requires people to operate and help reduce risk of incident in case of any. The human element can be defined from the administration and commercial use in the industry. The administration sectors in charge of supervisory sector without their participation salaries would not be mad, purchases could be faulted, books could not balance and this would lead to losses. Then cargo handling which involves people and stuffing of goods in the warehouse is part of human element. Such task as operation of cargo handling equipment, tallying inspection and supervision of cargo all are subsequent activities that lead to the actual transportation(Frontiers of engineering:, 2003).

Working policies rules and regulations arising from response to some incidents improve quality of operations by emphasizing role regulatory authorities. Congestion policies can reduce Atmospheric emissions from pollutants produced transportation by the internal combustion engine. Any designed action or set of action that assist to reduce traffic congestion with influence of timing, intensity and distribution of transport demand is Transport Demand Management.

Congestion pricing is also an instrument that can be used during peak hours and diverting certain cars to reduce congestion this would encourage better driving habits and would reduce incidences of CO2 emissions that affect the environment and economy. Noise can impact on human health and most often human welfare. Noise and vibration associated with trains, trucks, and planes in the vicinity of airports are major irritants together with oil spills. This can be avoided with policies rules and regulations that would ensure offenders would comply with the set guidelines. Human can also reduce fuel shortage, reduce congestion by using fuel efficient engine and by car pooling this is through, bicycling or walking. Despite this engineers are on the clock trying to establish new ways to reduce problems related to transportation related emissions. Congestion on the other hand affects movement of goods in the globalized time and is both time and cost consuming (Hall, 1999).

The Highway funding trust was created to ensure the systems financing through an account mechanism in the federal budget that comprises two separate accounts one for the highways and other for mass transit. The fuel tax as a whole was transferred to the trust fund and all general fund revenue went back to the highway trust. This could help reform federal, local and states decisions’ on how to expend transportation funds. Trust fund programs are supplied at least 90% committed revenue from excise taxes or user fees. Fuel taxes provide a stable and predictable level of funds because highway fuel use changes little from year to year .This is advantageous to transport companies as they are able to assist in areas where it is hard to reach(Frontiers of engineering:, 2003).

Human error has been noted as the leading cost of death in the transport industry for example the recent South Korea ferry was sunk due to human error. Inconclusive study has helped to identify that many accidents are caused by non compliance with regulations and procedures. These examples not only point to non-compliance with rules and regulations but how human element can affect the transport industry.

Human element is observed in all forms of transport and as earlier stated lack of proficiency and training and need for intensify efforts. Shipping is a common means of sea transport and ship safety has been highly advocated especially the hardware aspect, but we forget to emphasize on the software aspect including the Human element. A captain of a ship should have knowledge of equipments and systems and should be well trained to execute this knowledge.

Training institutions should also have competent and proficient trainers to ensure the sea engineers, captain’s or sea farer are well trained and competent to serve on board(Green,1992).Transport industry like the roads and air especially the truck drivers and pilots should be well trained and should have on the job training before assuming responsibility. This reduces the chances of having incompetent drivers with minimal level of incompetence and have the capability of flying an aircraft, driving a truck and can actually do maintenance work.

Aircrafts are complex to manage operations that cover machinery and systems. Pilots or captains have to have on the job training as engineers to ensure the safety of the aircraft before any taken off (Hall, 1999).

International maritime requires that there is importance in human element because there is need to strengthen practice and procedure in engine room. There is an argument that problems arise when knowledge skills and experience do not match the technology. Management should address issues such as poor procedures or inadequate use of instruction hand books by encouraging practical skills (Stanton, 2012).Engineers should have the human element skills apart from their mechanical skills to assist in communication between them and management. Many practices with procedures on board a ship are for the purpose of safety some of the infringements noted include, lack of special handling instructions in handling specialized goods (Green, 1992). The management must also be strict and committed to safety ensure clear safety policy and ability to communicate such information to all members on board. Management should also ensure clearly labeled rules and regulations for staff to comply.

Human error is the major cause of accidents in the transport industry and vehicular accidents continue to be the leading cause of unintentional injury and deaths. There are factors that lead vehicular accidents the vehicle, the environment and the operator. Relative studies come up with percentages of 70% to 90% for accidents are caused by operators and the rest by mechanics that are humans and are prone to error (Frontiers of engineering, 2003).

Conclusion

Humans are responsible for ensuring the success and safety of the transportation industry. They have the capability to integrate with technology through gathering information on various development aspects, Human element have good judgment, knowledgeable and flexible and through collective team work they can provide an efficient design of aircrafts, vehicle, ships and any means of transport. Although human performance should always be evaluated to improve the industries usability, maintainability and reliability.

Reference

Hall, R. (1999). Handbook of transportation science international series in operations research & management science (pp. 20-45). Massachusetts: Springer.

(2003). Frontiers of engineering: Reports on leading-edge engineering from the 2002 name symposium on frontiers of engineering. (pp. 39-85). New York: National Academies

Green, M. J. (1992). Changing America: Blueprints for the new administration (pp. 426-568) Canada: New market Press

Boothroyd J. (2006). Transportation (p. 8) Lerner Classroom

Stanton, N. A. (2012). Advances in human aspects of road and rail transportation advances in human factors and ergonomics series Northampton’s Massachusetts: CRC Press

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