The driving social concern which motivated this project is the daily requirement for Brazilian agricultural companies to transport thousands of workers, tools and equipment, and the fact that this is currently done in unsuitable vehicles, not specifically designed for the task.

The aim of this research is to improve the transportation of rural workers - sugar cane cutlers in particular - in oil-road conditions. Appropriate design solutions will not only improve the workers’ health, safely, welfare and consequently their everyday life, but also reduce transportation costs and increase agricultural production.
It is argued in this present thesis that a vehicle designed specifically for this purpose, and relevant to this transportation context, would generate a better-performing vehicle in off-road conditions. I suggest that a vehicle based on appropriate design solutions would increase mobility, ensuring better journey conditions, fewer accidents and consequent social damage for both the families of the victims and the government.

To achieve the aim of this research, account was taken of the role of the vehicle as a mobile facility centre on the plantation, and key issues were raised regarding not only the vehicle and the workers in a transportation context. Additionally, rather than just analysing the body of the vehicle (the shell that accommodates the users), its platform (the whole mechanical structure underneath the body) was also considered. In order to do so, this thesis has been written from an interdisciplinary perspective, mapping the current situation, and establishing key criteria for new vehicle types. The study was organized around five main issues: User Analysis, Vehicle Analysis, Terrain Analysis, Economic Analysis and Design Solutions.

The research concludes that there is evidence of improvements in the transportation of sugar cane cutters in Brazil, particularly in Sao Paulo Slate, due to the substitution of adapted trucks for buses. However, the current adaptations made to the buses are still not the answer to the problem, Therefore, I state that a solution to this situation is the development of a vehicle oriented towards real needs, trends and limitations in the context of this transportation.

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