List of tables
Chapter 2: Design Development of Ambulance: Issues and Contextual Relevance
2.5 Need for transportation system as a present practice
On the other hand, the tadpole riders CG is lower [Figure 2.8 (f)] but located ahead of the forward tipping axis. Even with the higher seat, a delta trike can be quite stable provided most of the weight shifts back towards the rear wheels.
The stability of tricycle is a matter of concern due to high CG.
The tricycles available in India are having sufficient space for carrying luggage by the passenger or after a marketing trip for which they are extensively used.
2.5.1 Indian cultural context
Design in the Indian context focuses on people, their ethnography, and various socio-cultural issues. Nadkarni (1995) also emphasised that knowledge of the origins of Indian value system is essential to understand the common and comprehensive way of living of the target population and this can provide a clue to Indian- ness and Indian context. For a design to be fruitful, it must meet and fulfil the physical needs of the consumer, and can incorporate the conventional, social, cultural and ecological aspects of the region. The products should be produced locally as far as possible in terms of appearance, efficiency, performance and quality of the product. Targeting the rural riverine people becomes crucial for a technological innovation as well as economic development of the target group.
Thus, in a design context, when we consider a human centred design for the present group of Indian people, the design must be in right context which is that of Indian context and must meet the need of this group of Indians in their context only and should take into account their culture, tradition and way of living.
2.5.2 Perception about health care transportation
Human powered health care transportations are not given importance because of people’s perception about this mode of transportation as slow moving, low grade, low tech (Boruah and Das, 2013). Even then some of these products shown in the Figure 2.1 are used in the emergency health care concerns in rural areas globally.
To find out probable reasons behind this perception, direct observation method, personal interviews while meeting team and individuals and secondary data and participatory and non- participatory methods were used. However, in comparison to motorised transportation development, not much research has been carried out to improve the mode of healthcare transportation. Due to slow moving nature, it is a very good mode of local transportation within riverine localities of the
Brahmaputra valley since people in case can use these for short distance travel to reach the healthcare centre.
Rural people’s perception (Boruah and Das, 2013) regarding the existing varieties of a human powered vehicle as of poor quality is seen from aesthetics, ergonomics as well as point of safety of the passengers and the rider. Experience shared by people has inspired this researcher to prepare a design for this kind of transportation system for riverine areas. The project aims at improving the access of poor people in rural areas with regard to health, education, employment and trade opportunities in a sustainable way.
2.5.3 Process of manufacture
The findings from the study through a visit to the local manufacturer engaged in making products similar to the ones shown in Figure 2.1 revealed that the followings are the inherent deficiency of the existing intermediate ambulances in local context due to process of manufacturing employed locally.
Each intermediate ambulance is made individually
Various components are also made individually and there is no serious attempt at standardisation of the components in their exact size, shape and materials since different persons make them individually.
Other components are procured off the shelf from components manufacturer.
2.5.4 Quality and the craftsmanship
The quality of basic frame with driving chain etc. is acceptable but region wise the fabrication of the upper body has variations which are not negligible. Various materials e.g. foam, plywood, iron, aluminium, rexine cloth, and metal net etc. are used for its construction. Due to craft based fabrication technique, standardisation is lacking even within the traditional rickshaw factory. This creates a perception of low quality of these ambulances.
2.5.5 Contemporary look of the amphibian ambulance
The proposed amphibian ambulance needs to be designed with a contemporary aesthetics suitable in Indian context. Based on the observation of the existing
[Figure 2.1 (i)], these cycle ambulances are a delta type and all three ambulances have roof to protect the user from elements of nature.
(a): Amphibian passenger vehicle at St Michael, UK while on land.
(b): Amphibian passenger vehicle at St Michael, UK while in water.
Figure 2.9: Amphibian passenger vehicle (www.itv.com, 2013).
The function of the ambulance for riverine people should be depicted as the function of a duck bird which is explained in Figure 3.1. In Figure 2.9 an amphibian ambulance is shown and it shows how it looks while using on land and using in water.
2.5.6 Users’ ergonomic aspect
The amphibian ambulance needs to be designed with better ergonomic feature. A traditional passenger tricycle rickshaw, except Dipbahan does not provide a reasonable comfort to the passenger. In traditional tricycle based rural ambulance, the passengers are provided protection from the sun and rain but the riders remain exposed to the elements of nature.
2.5.7 Safety features
Safety associated with existing tricycle under present road condition where the rider, attendant, patient and medical equipment are fully exposed to others on road and elements of nature, should also be protected from other vehicles. On the other hand, the buoyancy can be achieved by a fully structured hull. A catamaran type hull could be utilised to give buoyancy and stability and could be produced moderately economically out of an assortment of materials. The hull should be strong or inflatable and produced to the desired shape.
It could limit resistance in water but would be expanded to accommodate the persons and essential driving system and subsystems. It would guarantee that the
rider and additional sub-systems are protected from reaching of surrounding water, minimising issues related to corrosion. Nevertheless, the hull would need to be punctured to allow wheels to be controlled when driving on land and in water and the means of propulsion when floating.
The above need can be achieved through a new product innovation. The process needs to be indigenous and sustainable.
2.5.8 Hull terminology
Figure 2.10: Different types of hull.
The different types of the hull are mentioned in Figure 2.10. The hull type- 1 is called Deep- V- Hull, which provides a boat maneuverability when driving in rough water. The design is popular for offshore sports boats but less suitable for shallow water use.
The hull type- 2 is known as Catamaran type, it has excellent manoeuverability and also it very stable, which makes working on deck easy and enables safe freighting of heavy loads. This type of boat easier to handle in port and maintaining the boat’s function in water.
Type- 3 is the modified version of type- 1. This is the most common hull for small boats because it combines some of the best characteristics of the other shapes such as type- 1 and type- 2. This type of modified- V is not the best in any situation but it provides a good solution to most family boating needs. The type- 4 is a cathedral type hull which is not easy to manoeuvre as a catamaran type hull. The cathedral type hull provides a slow boat with a good stability.