Design of mirror systems for commercial vehicles

This paper describes a computer aided design project for the evaluation of alternative mirror systems for a range of commercial vehicles. Computer modelling of mirror systems introduces the ergonomics parameters into the design programme at an early stage. The flexibility of computer modelling allows a far greater range of designs to be evaluated. The problems can be studied and resolved before producing a series of mirror designs to be evaluated by more conventional techniques on prototype vehicles. Mirrors designed in this way are less likely to require major redesign. Compliance with the legislative requirements of mirror design was a major consideration. Attempts were also made to optimise mirror systems for a range of cabs basing the evaluations on ergonomic as well as legislative criteria. Additionally, consideration was given to the use of mirrors for viewing trailer swing, passenger exit surveillance (for public service vehicles) and the viewing of objects close to high cabs. SAMMIE (System for Aiding Man-Machine Interaction Evaluation), a computer-aided workplace and work task design system, was used to model the vehicles and to produce the required mirror views on a computer graphics terminal.