ISO 16121-4:2011
(Main)Road vehicles - Ergonomic requirements for the driver's workplace in line-service buses - Part 4: Cabin environment
Road vehicles - Ergonomic requirements for the driver's workplace in line-service buses - Part 4: Cabin environment
ISO 16121-4:2011 specifies minimum requirements for the cabin environment. ISO 16121-4:2011 applies to the driver's workplace in low-floor line-service buses designed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum weight exceeding five metric tonnes and an overall width exceeding 2,30 m.
Véhicules routiers — Exigences ergonomiques du poste de conduite dans les bus de ville — Partie 4: Environnement dans la cabine
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 27-Jul-2011
- Technical Committee
- ISO/TC 22/SC 39 - Ergonomics
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/TC 22/SC 39 - Ergonomics
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Close of review
- Completion Date
- 02-Dec-2029
Relations
- Effective Date
- 24-Apr-2010
Overview
ISO 16121-4:2011 defines minimum ergonomic requirements for the driver's cabin environment in low-floor line-service buses. It applies to buses designed to carry passengers (more than eight seats besides the driver), with a maximum weight over five metric tonnes and an overall width greater than 2,30 m. The standard complements other parts of ISO 16121 and focuses on climate, ventilation, air quality and noise to support driver comfort, visibility and safety.
Key Topics
Climate and heating
- The cab climate system (heating and optionally air conditioning) must provide an acceptable interior environment year‑round and be controllable independently from the passenger compartment.
- Annex A recommends that the driver area be controllable between 18 °C and 25 °C, with target temperatures attainable within 30 minutes from heating start (engine at operating temperature). Head-area temperatures should be about 1–3 °C cooler than the footwell. Adjacent surfaces (excluding external windows) should remain >15 °C once target temperature is reached.
Ventilation
- A ventilation fan shall have at least three speed settings.
- Additional adjustable air nozzles should provide directed air jets for the driver and be closable when not required.
- The cab may be ventilated with external ambient air or re‑circulated cabin air, subject to client/manufacturer agreement.
Windscreen defrosting and demisting
- Systems must keep front and side driving views clear in operation and meet the performance/measurement guidance of SAE J381.
- Particular attention is required for lateral visibility windows called out in ISO 16121‑2.
Air quality and filtration
- Annex B provides recommended cabin air filter performance measured per ISO/TS 11155 series. Example particle-efficiency benchmarks at 200 m3/h include: >30% (0.5–1.0 µm), >42% (1.0–2.0 µm), >66% (2.0–3.0 µm), >84% (3.0–5.0 µm), >90% (5.0–10.0 µm).
- Recommended gas-efficiency guidance (measured at 200 m3/h) includes performance thresholds for common gaseous challenges (e.g., n‑butane, toluene, SO2) as summarized in Annex B.
Noise limits
- Driving noise (Leq over 2 min at 50 km/h) shall not exceed 70 dB(A) at the driver’s ear height (ISO 5128 method). Stationary idle noise shall be <60 dB(A).
- Ventilation fan noise limits: ≤55 dB(A) at lowest speed and ≤65 dB(A) at the middle (demisting) setting with engine off.
- Avoid distinct unpleasant tonal noises (clatter, squeak, etc.).
Applications
This part of ISO 16121 is intended for: manufacturers, vehicle integrators, fleet specifiers and ergonomic designers working on urban and interurban low‑floor line‑service buses. Implementation improves driver comfort, reduces fatigue, supports clear visibility and contributes to safer, more reliable service.
Related Standards
- ISO 16121‑1, ‑2 and ‑3 (other parts of driver workplace ergonomics)
- ISO 5128 (measurement of noise inside motor vehicles)
- ISO/TS 11155‑1 and ISO 11155‑2 (cabin air filter test methods)
- SAE J381 (windshield defrosting/demisting performance)
For procurement and design, combine ISO 16121‑4 guidance with national legislation and the other parts of ISO 16121 to deliver a compliant, ergonomic driver workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 16121-4:2011 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Road vehicles - Ergonomic requirements for the driver's workplace in line-service buses - Part 4: Cabin environment". This standard covers: ISO 16121-4:2011 specifies minimum requirements for the cabin environment. ISO 16121-4:2011 applies to the driver's workplace in low-floor line-service buses designed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum weight exceeding five metric tonnes and an overall width exceeding 2,30 m.
ISO 16121-4:2011 specifies minimum requirements for the cabin environment. ISO 16121-4:2011 applies to the driver's workplace in low-floor line-service buses designed for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum weight exceeding five metric tonnes and an overall width exceeding 2,30 m.
ISO 16121-4:2011 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.180 - Ergonomics; 43.080.20 - Buses. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO 16121-4:2011 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 16121-4:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO 16121-4:2011 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16121-4
Second edition
2011-08-01
Road vehicles — Ergonomic
requirements for the driver's workplace in
line-service buses —
Part 4:
Cabin environment
Véhicules routiers — Exigences ergonomiques du poste de conduite
dans les bus de ville —
Partie 4: Environnement dans la cabine
Reference number
©
ISO 2011
© ISO 2011
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
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Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Climate, ventilation.2
4.1 Basic requirements .2
4.2 Climate of driver's cab .2
4.3 Ventilation .3
4.4 Windscreen defrosting and demisting .3
4.5 Air quality .3
5 Noise inside the vehicle.3
Annex A (informative) Recommended heating performance .4
Annex B (informative) Recommended performance of a typical cabin air filter .5
Bibliography.6
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 16121-4 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 22, Road vehicles, Subcommittee SC 13,
Ergonomics applicable to road vehicles.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 16121-4:2005), which has been editorially
revised.
ISO 16121 consists of the following parts, under the general title Road vehicles — Ergonomic requirements
for the driver's workplace in line-service buses:
⎯ Part 1: General description, basic requirements
⎯ Part 2: Visibility
⎯ Part 3: Information devices and controls
⎯ Part 4: Cabin environment
iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved
Introduction
Poor ergonomics in the driver's workplace in buses designed to provide scheduled urban and interurban
services increase the already high physical and mental strains on the drivers.
It is the aim of this part of ISO 16121 to supply the designer of line-service buses with information about how
to develop an overall ergonomic concept for the driver's workplace. The recommended requirements on the
driver's workplace for line-service buses made in this part of ISO 16121 are based on the scientific
conclusions of the research project “Driver's workplace in the line-service bus”. This was conducted in
[1]
Germany and summarized in the recommendation VDV 234 . Further comprehensive ergonomic studies
related to the design of an enhanced driver workplace conducted in the United States, Canada, the
[2][3][4][5][6]
Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom have been considered and found to provide
recommendations covering similar areas.
This part of ISO 16121 sets out to consider the practical implications for all ranges of drivers, but particularly
those with statures from 1,55 m (small female) to 2,0 m (large male). These statures include shoes (∼30 mm).
It is also essential that the designer refers to the specifications and requirements of all parts of ISO 16121
(1 to 4) before completing the design of a driver's workplace.
It should be noted that where there is also national legislation covering any of the subjects contained herein,
then both should be complied with. However, if a contradiction between the two should arise in any specific
area, then the legislation shall prevail for that specific point only.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16121-4:2011(E)
Road vehicles — Ergonomic requirements for the driver's
workplace in line-service buses —
Part 4:
Cabin environment
1 Scope
This part of ISO 16121 specifies minimum requirements for the cabin environment.
It applies to the driver's workplace in low-floor line-service buses designed for the carriage of passengers,
comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum weight exceeding five
metric tonnes and an overall width exceeding 2,30 m.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 5128, Acoustics — Measurement of noise inside motor vehicles
ISO 6549, Road vehicles — Procedure for H- and R-point determination
ISO/TS 11155-1, Road Vehicles — Air filters for passenger compartments — Part 1: Test for particulate
filtration
ISO 11155-2, Road vehicles — Air filters for passenger compartments — Part 2: Test for gaseous filtration
ISO 16121-2:2005, Road vehicles — Ergonomic requirements for the driver's workplace in line-service buses —
Part 2: Visibility
SAE J381, Windshield defrosting systems
...




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