Global Utilities

Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors

Evaluation Of Design: Equipment, Products & Systems

Recent Projects

  • "Beyond usability: human-centred product design". Thesis research by Stephen Trathen for a Masters of Applied Science, under the supervision of Wendy Macdonald

Contract Research & Consultancy Projects In This Area

  • Evaluation of cognitive ergonomics aspects of tram drivers' workstations
  • Computer monitor (VDU) display characteristics:
    • evaluation of screen display clarity in relation to monitor replacement criteria
    • determination of displayed character size in order to optimise both readability and the amount of information transmitted per unit of screen area
  • Ergonomics analysis of ambulance design and ambulance officer task demands
  • Evaluation of a prototype telephone designed for use with Telecom "Easycall" facilities
  • Human factors evaluation of a computer-based system of traffic information for drivers
  • Design and evaluation of a self-unloading assembly bench
  • Advice on improving production process and task design to improve quality control
  • Evaluation of the relative conspicuity of safety vests worn by motor bicyclists and cyclists in varying traffic environments
  • Design of questionnaires and related data analyses

Reports On Related Topics

  • Trathen, S. and Macdonald, W.  (2005).  Identifying key product attributes for use in product evaluation.  In Proceedings of 2nd International Design and Engagability Conference (IDEC), Eds John Knight and Jennifer Sheridan, UCE Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. 6 September 2005, Edinburgh.
  • Trathen, Stephen. 2003. Beyond usability: human-centred product design. Master of Applied Science thesis, La Trobe University.
  • Evans, O.M. 1998 VDT standards - locked in time as the world passe them by? In Implementing Change: the role of Standards, Proceedings of the National Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia, Melbourne, 5-7 October 1998, Edited by M. Best, M. Di Stefano, O. Evans, Melbourne, Ergonomics Society of Australia, Inc, 54-59
  • Evans, O.M, Meyer, P. and Liebert, J. (1996) The Design and Evaluation of a Self-Unloading Assembly Bench. Final Report to Worksafe Australia
  • Forester, C. and Macdonald, W.A. (1994) Evaluation of the human-computer interface used by switchboard operators. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand, 10(4), 343-351
  • Evans, O.M, Meyer, P. and Liebert, J.R. (1993) Two novel manual handling aids to reduce back strain in furniture manufacture. Proceedings of 24th International Congress on Occupational Health, Nice, 268
  • Evans, O.M, Liebert, J. and Meyer, P. (1992) The design and development of a self-unloading assembly bench. Proceedings of 28th Annual Conference Ergonomics Society of Australia, Melbourne, 160-166
  • Meyer, P., Macdonald, W.A. and Evans, O.M. (1992) The evaluation of a new design of telephone: a product ergonomics case study. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia, Melbourne, 244-251
  • Evans, O.M, Collins, B. and Stewart, A. (1992) Is school furniture responsible for student sitting discomfort? Proceedings of 2nd Pan-Pacific Conference on Occupational Ergonomics, Wuhan, 269-274
  • Evans, O.M, Collins, B. and Stewart, A. (1992) Is anthropometric mismatch a source of musculoskeletal discomfort in school children? Proceedings of 28th Annual Conference Ergonomics Society of Australia, Melbourne, 31-37
  • Macdonald, W.A. (1990) Assessing the usability of the ADVISE system of driver information. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of the Ergonomics Society of Australia, 181-186
  • Cole, B.L. and Macdonald, W. (1989) Defective colour vision can impede information acquisition from redundantly coded video displays. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 8, 2, 198-210
  • Macdonald, W.A. and Cole, B.L. (1988) Evaluating the role of colour in a flight information cockpit display. Ergonomics, 31, 1, 13-27
  • Hoffmann, E.R. and Macdonald, W.A. (1983) Tests on the comprehension of some hospital information signs. Two reports to the Standards Association of Australia. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne
  • Macdonald, W.A. and Hoffmann, E.R. (1983) Drivers' comprehension of traffic sign information. Proceedings of the Second International Pacific Conference on Automotive Engineering, Tokyo
  • Macdonald, W.A. and Hoffmann, E.R. (1982) Comprehension of some alternative forms of regulatory traffic signs. Proceedings of the 11th Conference of the Australian Road Research Board, 11, 5, 111-126
  • Macdonald, W.A. and Hoffmann, E.R. (1982) Hybrid turn restriction signs - comprehension of some alternative forms. Proceedings of the 11th Conference of the Australian Road Research Board, 11, 5, 105-110
  • Meerman, A., Hoffmann, E.R. and Macdonald, W.A. (1982) A comparison of advance direction signs for use at irregular intersections in terms of drivers' route negotiation behaviour. Proceedings of the 11th Conference of the Australian Road Research Board, 11, 5, 67-78
  • Meerman, A., Macdonald, W.A. and Hoffmann, E.R. (1982) Rapid detection of destination direction on stack and diagrammatic advance direction signs. Proceedings of the 11th Conference of the Australian Road Research Board, 11, 5, 79-86

Content approved by: Director of the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors
Page maintained by: C.E.H.F.
Last Updated: 7 October, 2009