Parametric Design and Regulatory Analysis of a Modular, Vehicle-Adjustable Cattle Cage for Indian Goods Vehicles

Abstract

Cattle transport in India uses a heterogeneous fleet in which fixed cage bodies are commonly fabricated for individual vehicle chassis. This limits interchangeability and can make compliance upgrades costly. This study analyses the design parameters required for a modular, demountable cattle cage transferable among representative light, medium, and heavy goods-vehicle classes while remaining within Indian regulatory dimensional and occupancy requirements. Regulatory provisions were extracted from the Transport of Animals Rules and Central Motor Vehicles Rules and cross-checked against published cattle-welfare literature and established demountable-body engineering practice. The resulting parameters cover floor-space allowance, occupancy, breast-bar geometry, bedding, partition pitch, ventilation, flooring, and a standardized mounting interface. A parametric occupancy calculation was applied to three illustrative vehicle classes. The analysis shows that a common sub-frame concept can remain within the assumed dimensional envelope across the three classes. For the representative medium and heavy classes, the statutory six-head occupancy cap becomes the governing constraint rather than floor area, leaving 2.26 m² and 6.25 m² of indicative surplus floor area, respectively. The framework provides a chassis-agnostic design reference for compliance-oriented cattle-cage development. Because the study is literature- and regulation-based, structural, thermal, and field-welfare validation remains necessary before fabrication and operational adoption.