DESIGN EXPLORATION OF ATLANTA APPARATUS INSTRUMENT

99 Pages·2005·1.38 MB·English

DESIGN EXPLORATION OF ATLANTA APPARATUS INSTRUMENT PANEL

A Thesis
Presented to
The Academic Faculty

By

Taro Walcott

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Industrial Design in the
School of Architecture

Georgia Institute of Technology
May 2005
DESIGN EXPLORATION OF ATLANTA APPARATUS INSTRUMENT PANEL

Approved by:

Prof. Wayne Chung, Advisor
School of Architecture
Georgia Institute of Technology

Prof. David Ringholz
School of Architecture
Georgia Institute of Technology

Captain Robert G. Bickford
Atlanta Fire Department

Date Approved: April 18, 2005
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’d like to thank the Atlanta Fire Department for their cooperation especially
Captain Bickford for his help getting me in contact with the many of the drivers and
captains. I could not have completed such in-depth research without his assistance.

Thank you to Colet SVD for allowing the use of their product photographs.

Thank you to Wayne Chung and David Ringholz for the advice and improving my
design skills.

A special thanks to Angelina Moraco for being supportive. Also I’d like to thank
my family for the encouragement.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii

LIST OF TABLES vii

LIST OF FIGURES viii

GLOSSARY x

SUMMARY xi

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Motivation 1

CHAPTER 2 PROBLEM DEFINITION AND SCOPE 3
2.1 Problem Statement 3
2.2 Purpose of the Study 3
2.3 Design Objectives 3
2.4 Delimitations and Limitations 3
CHAPTER 3 BACKGROUND 4
3.1 Atlanta Fire Department 4
3.1.1 Overview 4
3.1.2 Apparatus Crews 6
3.1.3 Municipal Apparatus 7
3.1.4 Tactics 9
3.1.5 Summary 10
CHAPTER 4 BENCHMARKING 11
4.1 Competitive Benchmarking 11
4.2 Parallel platforms 16
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CHAPTER 5 RESEARCH 19
5.1 Research Methodology 19
5.1.1 Methods 19
5.1.2 Significance of Research 20
5.1.3 Site and Sample Selections 20
5.1.4 Researcher’s Role 21
5.1.5 Research Strategies 21
5.1.6 Data and Collection 23
5.1.7 Data 23
5.2 Research Analysis 23
5.2.1 Task and Function Analysis 23
5.2.2 Survey Analysis 29
5.2.3 Design Critique Analysis 32
5.3 Conclusions 35
5.4 Recommendations 36
CHAPTER 6 DESIGN PROCEDURE 37
6.1 Human Factors 37
6.2 Design Objectives 39
6.3 Idea Generation 40
6.4 Concepts 41
6.5 Concepts beyond the scope of the instrument panel 50
6.6 Summary 51
CHAPTER 7 FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS 52
7.1 Future Exploration 52
7.2 Recommendations 53
7.3 Final Statement 54
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Appendix A DECISION MATRIX 55

Appendix B INCIDENT RESPONSES OF THE ATLANTA FIRE DEPARTMENT 57

Appendix C FIRE APPARATUS DRIVER QUESTIONNAIRE 60

Appendix D OBSERVATION RIDE-ALONG NOTES 63

Appendix E QUESTIONNAIRE RAW DATA 66

Appendix F DESIGN CRITIQUE NOTES 69

Appendix G CONSOLE ITEMS 72

Appendix H LEVEL OF AGREEMENT 74

Appendix I GAUGE USAGE 79

Appendix J CONTROLS USAGE 81

Appendix K PHOTO COLLAGE OF DESIGN CRITIQUE 83

Appendix L DESIGN CRITIQUE SCREEN LOCATIONS 85

REFERENCES 87

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LIST OF TABLES

Table A1. Decision Matrix 56

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Atlanta Georgia Firefighting Crew Seating Position 7

Figure 2. Atlanta Fire Department Aerial 8

Figure 3. Atlanta Fire Department Engine 8

Figure 4. Spartan Chassis Gladiator Instrument Panel Photo used by Atlanta 11
Fire Department
Figure 5. Atlanta Fire Department Colet Jaguar K-15 SVD Apparatus 13
Figure 6. Atlanta Fire Department Colet Jaguar K/R40 SVD Apparatus 14
Figure 7. Colet SVD Instrument Panel 14
Figure 8. Atlanta Fire Department Colet SVD Jaguar K15 Instrument Panel 15
Figure 9. Equipment Worn While Driving 30
Figure 10. New Features 32

Figure 11. Driver Design Critique Responses 33
Figure 12. Captain Design Critique Responses 34
Figure 13. Overall Satisfaction 35
Figure 14. Current Spartan Instrument Panel 41

Figure 15. Current Spartan Instrument Panel Zones 42
Figure 16. Evolutionary Concept 1 43
Figure 17. Driver Binnacle Changes 44
Figure 18. Display Screen 46
Figure 19. Optical/Audio Warning Switches 47
Figure 20. Federal Q2 Siren 48
Figure 21. Evolutionary concept 2 49
Figure 22. Evolutionary concept 3 50
Figure H1. Driver environment is comfortable 75
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Figure H2. Driver visibility is adequate 75
Figure H3. The instrument panel is well organized 76
Figure H4. View of the instrument panel is clear 76
Figure H5. Vehicle controls are easily reached 77
Figure H6. Vehicle controls are easy to use 77
Figure H7. Vehicle controls indicate engaged 78
Figure I1. Most Used Gauges 80
Figure I2. Least Used Gauges 80
Figure J1. Most Used Controls 82
Figure J2. Least Used Controls 82
Figure L1. Design Critique Screen Locations 86

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GLOSSARY

All professions have there own language or list of terms that are commonly used. Refer
to list below to see a list of common words used in the firefighter lexicon and throughout
this thesis.
Aerial: (synonym; Truck) Fire Apparatus designed to allow firefighters to gain access to
multiple story structures. Usually characterized by ladders.
Apparatus: pl. apparatuses, the vehicle based fire equipment used by the fire
department.
Battalion Chief Vehicles: Modified Sport utility vehicles, used by the Battalion Chief,
featuring utility draws with marker boards, and model pieces of various apparatus to
illustrate a “bird’s eye view” of the fire attach scenario allowing the Battalion Chief to
make informed decisions regarding how to address the emergency.
Driver: Operator, Driver, Technician
EMT: emergency medical technicians or paramedics
Fire Engine: (synonym; Pumper) Fire Apparatus designed to allow firefighters to pump
water or foam using an onboard water supply sometimes replenished with fire hydrants
or other sources of water to suppress fires.
Fire Truck: (Aerial) Usually equip with long ladders, hydraulic platforms and heavy
rescue gear. Designed to support the fire engine when attacking a fire.
Hazmat: Hazardous Material

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