Good one Edward, transporter from the SS Enterprise is my favorite!..But If using existing technology, a big screen tV mounted over steering wheel, with camera's that hang on load. This way, the driver cant even see load or mast, just what's in front of him!....
But seriously, Open mast are great, til you put a load on!
Many warehouses are in the same boat. Usually,most places it's law, you must drive tractor first. Hard to do on a sit down counterbalance, as driver's twist their bodies. Most go with pacer or 3 wheel counter bal truck with side stance. The driver easily goes forward or reverse. They are much faster to get on and off as foot step is a few inches off the ground, there is no E-brake to fight with, no seat belt to buckle and no seat to jump up on and adjust. The floor on most new trucks is mounted on shocks so the ride is softer than than conventional sit down CB Trucks. There are less injuries with pacers and driver's have a clear view when driving tractor first. If you need, reach trucks have rear control handle so you can drive tractor first with your body facing rear ward. cant beat that! You face other direction to load, and your body is not twisted forward or reverse. The steering can easily be set to automotive or standard, whatever the driver's prefer. What your asking for cant work (mast view) since there will be a load on those forks....blocking your view...now you're back to square one....cant see pedestrians.