DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIGENOUS TRICYCLE RICKSHAW
B: Tricycle for Physically challenged users
2.1 Tricycle rickshaw as a means of localized transportation
2.1.5 Shortcomings of existing tricycle rickshaws in Indian context
2.1.5.2 Process of manufacture
The findings from the study carried out earlier through a visit to the local manufacturer revealed that the followings are the inherent deficiency of the existing tricycle rickshaw in local context due to the process of manufacturing employed locally.
A. Each rickshaw is made individually.
B. Various components are also made individually and there is no serious attempt at standardization of the components’ exact size, shape and materials since black smiths make these. Details of the parts made this way are shown in the
Table 2.1, p 49. Some Rickshaw making unit outsource the above items and only manufacture/ fabricates the wooden body.
C. Other components are procured off the shelf from components manufacturer.
Details of these components are shown in the Table 2.2, p 50.
D. Wood is used to fabricate the main body to house the seat for the passengers and then covered with aluminium sheet etc. Most of these rickshaws are fitted with folding canopy made of bamboo covered with canvas or synthetic sheets readily available in the market.
The above items are assembled in a cottage workshop.
Description of the traditional fabrication process of a tricycle rickshaw in Guwahati (Diagram depicting the manufacturing process appended, Appendix 6, p 269)
1. Normally the facility used for fabricating a tricycle rickshaw as studied in Guwahati is cottage industry. It is found to be more or less same all over the country. In a few places it is comprised of integrated facility of black smithy, carpentry, tailoring and fitting. In other cases black smithy is eliminated and items made in the black smithy are outsourced. A black smithy hearth with manual bellows is common (Fig. 2.31, p 51) where mostly scrape iron material is used to fabricate various parts as listed in the Table 2.1, p 49..
2. Carpentry work is carried out in the same premise (Fig.2.32, p 51) for fabrication of the main body (Fig.2.33, p 51) to house the seat for the passengers in wood.
Here a template is used for obtaining same form and size. This body is covered by aluminium sheet. Seat back for passenger is integrated with the body and made with coir fibre covered with foam leather and reskin material (Fig. 2.34, p 51). In most cases, decorative elements are also used. These are made using a variety of material such as aluminum tube and rods, laminates of various colors.
This body also provides for storage space for the personal belongings of the rickshaw puller like clothes, lamp, document etc. The passenger’s seat is placed on this body. It is fabricated in wood, springs fitted (Fig. 2.35, p 51), padded with coir fibre and foam, secured with jute made hessian and finally covered with reskin/ foam leather.
Table 2.1 Details of the parts fabricated locally through Black smithy and material normally procured from scrape
Sl.
No.
Item Visual Image of the item
(not to scale)
Materials used for fabrication 1 Chassis element, the
lower frame supporting the body and rear axle – a set of two
Item no. T -1
Mild steel rod of 25mm diameter or square bar of 25mm or angle of 40mm X 40mm X 5mm, 4.100 kg each
2 Chassis element
connecting the two elements of T -1 at the rear end, Item no. T -2
Mild steel rod of 20mm diameter, 1.350 kg
3 Semi-elliptical flat spring system – a set of two Item no. T -3
Mild steel flat bar of 40mm X 5 mm, 2.800 kg each
4 Bracket to connect the Semi-elliptical spring to main body – a set of two Item no. T -4
Mild steel angle of 40 mm X 45 mm X 5mm, 0.400 kg each
5 Bracket to attach the passenger’s carriage to the chassis at the front end Item no. T -5
Mild steel flat bar of 30 mm X 4 mm, 0.400 kg
6 Bracket to attach the passenger’s carriage to the chassis at the front end Item no. T -6
Mild steel flat bar of 25mm X 4 mm, 0.450 kg each
7 Bracket to connect the main body with the diamond frame – a set of two, Item no. T -7
Mild steel rod of 16 mm diameter, 0.750 kg each
8 Bracket to connect the folding bracket with the main body – a set of two Item no. T -8
Mild steel flat bar of 20 mm X 4 mm, 0.050 kg each
9 Folding bracket for the foldable canopy – a set of two
Item no. T -9
Mild steel flat bar of 20 mm X 4 mm and 16 mm diameter rod, 0.650 kg each
10 Folding hinge for the foldable canopy – a set of two, Item no. T -10
Mild steel rod of 12 mm diameter, 0.450 kg each 11 Bracket to connect Folding
hinge for the foldable canopy to body – a set of two, Item no. T -11
Mild steel plate of 4 mm thickness, 0.150 kg each
12 Bracket to connect the rear mudguards with the main body – a set of two Item no. T -12
Mild steel rod of 10 mm diameter, 0.400 kg each
13 Bearing holding clamp – a set of two, Item no. T -13
Mild steel flat bar of 35mm X 3 mm, 0.200 kg each 14 Fork guard – a set of two
Item no. T -14
Mild steel rod of 10 mm diameter, with aluminium sleeve, 0.500 kg each
Table 2.2 Details of the parts procured from bicycle and tricycle industry (Price as on 01.05.2004 in Guwahati)
Sl No.
Description Quantity Rate
Rs.
Amount Rs.
1 10 Gauge Rim, size 28” x 1 ½ “ 3 Pieces 103.00 309.00 2 B/Bull Heavy Duty Tyre size 28” x 1 ½ “ 3 Pieces 125.00 375.00
3 Ralson Ml Tube 3 Pieces 26.00 78.00
4 10 Gauge Spokes 1 Packet 162.00 162.00
5 Nipple & oval washer 1 Packet 36.00 36.00
6 10 Gauge Rear Hub 1 Pair 34.00 68.00
7 10 Gauge Front Hub 1 Piece 28.00 28.00
8 Front axle 1 Piece 40.00 40.00
9 1 Front & 2 rear wheel mudguard 1 set 135.00 135.00
10 Main Axle 1 Piece 140.00 140.00
11 06 Socket 2 Piece 17.50 35.00
12 06 Bearing 1 Pair 48.00 96.00
13 06 Bearing Cover 1 Set 70.00 140.00
14 KW Fork 1 Piece 97.00 97.00
15 Sl Racer 2 Pieces 19.00 38.00
16 Ball Racer 1 Set 10.00 10.00
17 KW type Handle with brake lever 1 Piece 130.00 130.00
18 KW type Brake Set 1 Set 95.00 95.00
19 Frame Socket 4 Pieces 5.00 20.00
20 Seat Pillar Socket 1 Piece 8.00 8.00
21 Bottom Body (BB) Socket 1 Piece 20.00 20.00
22 Bottom Bracket Cup Bush 1 Set 17.00 17.00
23 Heavy Duty Frame Cup 1 Set 5.00 5.00
24 Body Bracket 1 Piece 17.00 17.00
25 10” Seat Pillar 1 Piece 5.00 5.00
26 Seat Complete 1 Piece 100.00 100.00
27 KW Gear Crank 48 Teeth 1 Set 95.00 95.00
28 KW Pedal 1 Pair 45.00 45.00
29 Cotter Pin 2 Pieces 1.50 3.00
30 Freewheel 22 Tooth 1 Piece 28.00 28.00
31 Freewheel Plate 27 Tooth 1 Piece 10.00 10.00
32 Freewheel Socket 1 Piece 17.00 17.00
33 Rolon Heavy Duty Chain 1 Piece 62.00 62.00
34 Bell 1 Pieces 16.00 16.00
35 Handle Mirror 2 Pieces 15.00 30.00
36 Lock 1 Piece 20.00 20.00
37 ¼ “Ball Apollo brand 1 Packet 15.00 15.00
38 5/4 Ball Center 1 Packet 10.00 10.00
Grand Total: 2,555.00 3. Various outsourced items mentioned in Table 2.2 are assembled at this workshop
itself. These are assembly of wheel rim, axle hub, spokes and nipple into a wheel and then fitting the same with tires and tubes. Similarly diamond frame is assembled with pedal, sprocket, handle, brake etc. into a complete assembly.
4. On this complete assembled sub-frame, the elements locally fabricated are assembled, specifically parts mentioned in the Table 2.1 (p 49), these are items 1 to 14.
5. On the metal frame chassis, the wooden body is fixed.
6. Canopy made of bamboo that is presently procured from rural areas and covered with Canvas or synthetic material is stitched at the tailoring facility shown at Fig. 2.36 and fitted on the wooden frame and the rickshaw is completed. Normally canopy is of folding type, foldability imparted by a bracket fabricated by the blacksmith. Ornamentation as per the liking of the rickshaw pullers such as photographs of film hero and heroine as well as scenery is used.
Fig. 2.31 Black smithy facility Fig. 2.32 Carpentry facility Fig. 2.33 Wooden main body
Fig. 2.34 Integral Seat back Fig. 2.35 Spring fitted passenger seat Fig. 2.36 Tailoring facility 2.1.5.3 Perception about tricycle rickshaw
Common people’s perception regarding the existing varieties of traditional tricycle rickshaw is of poor quality, aesthetics, ergonomics as well as safety from the point of view of passenger (Wheeler, 1998) and rider i.e. rickshaw puller. To find out probable reasons behind this perception, direct observation method, personal interviews while meeting with group and individuals and secondary data were used. In case of direct observation method, both participatory and non-participatory methods were used. In case of non-participatory observation method, author observed usage of tricycles by the persons in general and specially regarding mode of overhead protection used by the user (pullers) to protect themselves from elements of nature, carrying of goods etc. Also users in particular were observed regarding their outlook and belonging to a class say high, medium or lower income group. In case of personal interviews, users were asked about various factors for which they are not keen to use the rickshaw, what is their perception about rickshaw being used at present and reasons for their perception, and why they feel use of the tricycle rickshaw is advantages or disadvantages etc.
For data out of reach due to geographical location, secondary sources were also used.
The followings are the probable reasons for common people’s perception about traditional tricycle rickshaw that was deduced through this research:
i. Quality and the craftsmanship
Poor quality of traditional tricycle rickshaw can be attributed to present practice of manufacturing through assembly of factory made parts along with locally made body. Here quality of basic frame with drive train etc. is acceptable but region wise the fabrication of the seat with canopy for the passenger differs. Various materials e.g. iron, wood, aluminium etc. are used for its construction. Due to craft based fabrication technique, standardization is lacking even within the rickshaw made by same local manufacturer. This creates a perception of poor quality and finish for this product.
ii. Contemporary look
Rickshaw’s existing form not being contemporary does not appeal to many.
Rickshaw has evolved over the decades in India and has got a form, which is more or less similar all over the country. It has three wheels and old generation of rickshaw had foldable canopy made of cane and bamboo etc. Since tricycle rickshaw is basically an extended variations of a hand pulled rickshaw to which a front wheel and puller’s seat is attached to and evolved when modern automobiles did not exist. The traditional rickshaw’s form does not go along with modern day aesthetics relevant to other transportation mode. Thus this form is not appealing to many. Some also feel using rickshaw is below dignity, may be used for joyride; still a class of people are using this mode in a regular basis.
iii. Users’ aspect
Ergonomic aspect- for the puller and for passengers. Traditional tricycle rickshaw needs to be redesigned with better ergonomic features. A traditional tricycle rickshaw does provide a reasonable comfort to the passenger. A passenger uses it for traveling a kilometer or so but the puller operates this for the whole day. The passengers are provided protection from sun and rain but the puller is exposed to the elements of nature. If the puller is not protected from harsh sunshine and rain, his efficiency will be always reduced. This can be overcome if rickshaws are designed to take care of these factors. Due to the manual work involved in adverse condition, the rickshaw pullers remain dirty and this also repels many users. Most of the rickshaw pullers are poor persons that take rickshaw as the least preferred avocation but forced under economic compulsion. Not only passengers, their luggage also needs to be accommodated with ease of access.
Traditional tricycle rickshaws being fabricated are having high seats inclined very wrongly to the front direction. One cannot seat comfortably. Footboard height too is very high and is difficult to get into as well as has inclination, which is difficult for seating purpose without losing balance on a moving rickshaw.
iv. Safety and structure
Concern for Safety is still another aspect. Safety associated with existing traditional rickshaw in present road condition where both the puller and the
passengers are fully exposed to other vehicles on road and are not protected from moving vehicles. Traditional tricycle rickshaw has very high center of gravity and being a 3 wheeler (delta configuration), get destabilized during turning at speed. Once overturned, the structure does not provide protection to the puller as well as the passengers. Thus rickshaw must be designed to protect the occupant from these hazards. A rolling cage in case of over turn is to be provided to protect the user. During operation on the road it should protect the user from accidents resulting out of crashes by other vehicles on the road to the extent possible by providing an enclosure where no other vehicle will directly hit the user of the tricycle. The design of traditional rickshaw makes the passengers susceptible to accidents, because the front wheel being single and connected to the passenger carrying body joined by a frame, it leaves this body directly exposed to traffic from opposite direction.
One more important aspect is attitude of a society. This attitude is regarding usage of vehicles by individual persons. There are two reasons for use of personal vehicles at present in a country like India.
A. Inefficient public transport system and related inconvenience specifically in developing countries.
B. Status associated with owning a vehicle. This is very relevant in Indian context. A vehicle in developed countries is primarily a mode of transport for the most of the population, but in developing countries like India, it is a status symbol depicting material possession & wealth of the owner. Where as lower middle income and lower income group people are compelled to buy scooter, motorcycle etc. as low cost transportation mode, because of inefficient & inadequate public transport with its associated inconvenience, higher middle income group not only combine this with convenience but to their material wealth.