Title: Performance analysis of speed control humps and dips based on health and comfort criteria

Authors: Emad Khorshid; Fatma AlAli; Mohamed Alfares

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 5969 Safat, Kuwait ' Public Authority for Roads and Transportation, Subhan, Kuwait ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 5969 Safat, Kuwait

Abstract: An experimental investigation has been conducted to evaluate a vehicle's dynamic response on seated occupants while crossing different speed control humps and dips. The main objective of this study is to compare different designs of speed control devices with respect to comfort and human health. The study shows that both speed control dip and hump with cycloidal and Seminole profiles have better performance than the currently installed speed humps on public roads. The cycloidal-Seminole-cycloidal profile has the best performance index when compared with the other profiles in these tests since crossing these devices within the speed limit does not have health risks on the drivers, according to BS 6841. Another major finding is that the currently installed humps on public roads are not effective against vehicles equipped with active suspension systems or sport utility vehicles.

Keywords: whole body vibration; WBV; speed control devices; repeated shocks; safety; lower back problems; vehicle vibration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2017.089528

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2017 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.295 - 325

Received: 13 Mar 2017
Accepted: 21 Sep 2017
Published online: 29 Jan 2018 *

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