Prediction of Objective Passenger Comfort From Road Profile

Abstract

Objective comfort evaluation using the method of absorbed power requires the interface acceleration between the vehicle seat and the passenger. This acceleration can be obtained experimentally, or can be calculated from the road profile by determining the vehicle transfer function. A profilometer vehicle which simultaneously measured road profile and passenger/seat accelerations was used for data gathering. Absorbed power was calculated and distributed into amplitude and frequency bands, using random signal description technique called amplitude frequency distribution. Utilizing this format results in a matrix showing which amplitude and frequency bands contribute the greatest discomfort to the ride. The roughness effects of six roads were ranked in proper order by the passenger comfort prediction.