Transport for London (TfL) has published its vision to help inform the design of driver cabs in the buses of the future in the capital.
Following the inaugural Inclusive Cab Summit organised by Women in Transport last March, the initiative is designed to aid driver safety and inclusivity.
TfL engaged with drivers across depots in London and the UK in a bid to make the job more attractive to a diverse range of potential workers.
Among the considerations being taken forward are adjustable headrests for women and ensuring seat design avoids drivers experiencing extreme temperatures.
Safety is another important factor with TfL saying panels, displays and alerts should reduce distraction and fatigue.
The design of cabs should also support better communication with customers, including wheelchair users, the document outlines.
TfL next plans to work with drivers, trade union representatives, manufacturers, operators and the Royal College of Art to help advise on future designs.
The vision will also form part of TfL’s phase two of the Bus Safety Standard, which will be published next year.
Kerri Cheek, TfL’s Senior Bus Safety Development Manager, says: “Safety and wellbeing is our number one priority, and for our bus drivers the design of their cabs makes a big difference to this. We’ve partnered across the industry and spoken with colleagues to understand what improvements we can make when designing the next generation of bus cabs.”
Louise Cheeseman, Chair of Women in Bus and Coach, said:Â “We want to see our industry continue to become more diverse and representative of the communities we serve. This design vision, which has inclusivity and ergonomics at its heart, will ensure that new cab designs encourage more women to enter and stay in the industry”
