A Review on the Usability of Wheeled Luggage

Wheeled luggage use is rising and its ergonomics should be improved to minimise workload and injury. Only six ergonomic studies could be found and they only covered pulled two-wheel luggage. Most researchers have focused on industrial carts. Previous studies recommend that wheeled luggage be treated as a material handling aid. Four main types of wheeled luggage are identified. Pulled wheeled luggage has been found to have ergonomic flaws such as too much stress on the pulling arm and awkward postures. Design analysis shows that most wheeled luggage is unsuitable for the developing world because of low usability on poor terrain. Larger wheels can address some of the concerns. Initial findings show that push- trolley luggage addresses some of the inadequacies. More studies are needed to determine the potential of push-trolley wheeled luggage and of wheeled luggage for the developing world. Wheeled luggage is suggested as a solution to headloading and drudgery.