How optimizing the cabin can reduce driver pain

Being a driver might look simple from the outside: Sit down, drive the route, repeat. Yet anyone who’s done it knows it’s anything but easy. Long hours, constant focus, tight schedules, and that’s before we even talk about the cabin. If your workstation isn’t set up right, every shift entails physical discomfort, potentially leading to injury. Here, Roger Brereton, Head of Sales at steering systems manufacturer Pailton Engineering, explains why technicians should pay attention to the reasons behind driver pain.

A recent survey, carried out by the RMT Union in partnership with Pailton Engineering, really brings home the challenges faced by drivers. Over 75% of around 400 bus and coach drivers said that their work causes neck, shoulder, or back pain, and almost a quarter had to take time off in the past year because of it.

Even more telling, 95% feel that they don’t get the same ergonomic consideration as office workers, while 97% think that they should.

However, there is a solution. 94% said adjustable seats, steering columns, and dashboards would make a real difference, while over 95% agree that a more ergonomic cab could reduce pain.

Common complaints

The steering column is often the first thing drivers notice when something’s off with their seating position and level of comfort. Worn joints, clamping issues, or a column that won’t adjust easily can all make long shifts uncomfortable, making drivers feel plain awkward.

For technicians, spotting these problems and getting the steering back to smooth, reliable operation is one of the best ways to help drivers. After all, drivers come in all shapes and sizes, and forcing them to contort to a fixed setup leads to strain and eventually pain.

Noise and vibration matter too. With dashboards and controls mounted on the steering column, any worn mounts or springs can turn a normal commute into a jarring experience. Fixing these issues keeps drivers comfortable and prevents more serious problems later on.

The role of ergonomics

Tilt and telescopic steering column movement, as well as adjustable seating and better access to controls, help each driver to find a comfortable position. And for fleets with quick changeovers, electric columns with memory settings can be a game-changer.

One press, and the seat and column adjust to the optimal position. That’s a tiny change that makes long days behind the wheel so much easier. However, that level of adjustability doesn’t happen in isolation.

To optimize ergonomic benefits, the steering column should be connected to the seat so adjustments are synchronized. A steering column must integrate with the entire cabin environment, including the seat, dashboard, wiring, pedals, and even air ducting.

However, vehicle architecture often limits the available range for tilt and telescopic movement. For example, a cluster of digital gauges might block the path of adjustment, or ducting could restrict travel.

The engineering challenge is to maximize ergonomic freedom without introducing vibration, mechanical clashes, or structural weakness. A customer might specify a tilt angle of about 30 degrees and telescopic travel of 55 mm, but the real test is achieving that within the constraints of the vehicle layout while maintaining long-term reliability.

International standards of adjustability also vary, reflecting differences in the “average driver” across global markets. OEMs designing vehicles for multiple regions often request movement ranges that align with more than one standard, so solutions like the tilting head mechanism become particularly valuable.

Good ergonomics isn’t just about comfort, it’s about health and safety and keeping drivers on the road. Poorly adjusted columns and seats are behind a lot of the musculoskeletal pain we see in the survey.

Financial impact

The key message here is that vehicles are workplaces too. Therefore, cabins need to ensure that drivers do not feel pain during or after their shift, even if that pain comes years down the line. When the cab works for the driver, everyone wins. They’re healthier, fleets run smoother, and companies avoid millions in lost productivity.

Whether it’s neck, shoulder, and back pain, stiff or awkward steering columns, noisy or vibrating controls, or poorly adjusted seats, these issues are contributing directly to a shortage of drivers.