Planning interior lighting in a truck cab : A thesis in visual ergonomics

Abstract: A long-haulage truck cab from Scania is an environment that involves various activities and combines a working place with compact living which sets different requirements on the lighting environment depending on the activity. Truck drivers have different requirements in means of visual ergonomics and preference on the lighting design. A conclusion in this thesis is that different user in various activities sets different requirements on lighting design in a truck cab.  Lighting planning in a truck cab with new lighting technologies such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) stands for a paradigm shift in lighting planning and lighting design. The new technologies enables more integration in the interior, more diverse lighting which means more effort is needed to succeed in good visual ergonomics, light distribution, aesthetic expression and branding.  Studies have shown that by blue enriched light can be used as a tool to affect the humans’ sleep-awake rhythm. With the new paradigm shift with LED and OLED comes an opportunity to change the colour temperature of the lighting and use blue-enriched light as a tool to possibly create a better working environment for shift working truck drivers using warmer light at night and colder light in the morning.  In this thesis two main studies has been conducted, the first was regarding product and user knowledge and the second was a lighting study. From these studies we have concluded three analyses and suggested a lighting planning guide for Scania that takes into account future lighting planning with new technology for a better working environment for long-haulage truck drivers.