Sideloaders-a case study in the port industry

This report is an evaluation of a vehicle used in the port industry for handling containers. The vehicle is a self-loading lorry which both transports and stacks the containers within the port. Three aspects of the evaluation are discussed in the operating context: internal and external visibility, and the cab layouts. It is concluded that the vehicle has a restricted view to the rear, although with care this can be catered for. The design and position of the cab, however, can demand extreme and uncomfortable postures on the part of the driver. Certain anomalies in the cab control and display layouts are also briefly discussed, with a view to standardisation and a reduction of the driver's work-load. The main problem is seen as one of the integration of the driver/operator with a machine with two discrete functions. The visibility and posture problem areas are considered to stem from the compromises dictated by the nature of this dual-function vehicle. Imperial units are retained since containers are specified by the ISO on the basis of American measures.