Simulation Modeling of Dynamic Response of Vehicles to Different Types of Speed Control Humps

Abstract

Speed humps are known as the most popular traffic calming devices, although they transfer upward acceleration and forces to the vehicle which traverses them. These forces cause serious damage to vehicles and affect passenger's discomfort. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the vehicle's dynamic response to different types of speed humps via dynamic simulation modeling. Vertical acceleration, vertical force, and suspension force (spring force) were considered in order to study the vehicle's dynamic response on speed humps. Totally, 90 simulation tests were run on a sedan passenger car and a typical truck (loaded) for 9 different hump profiles. According to the results, the ramp's length has the most effect on the dynamic performance of flat topped humps. Parabolic profile 3.65*0.1 (height=3.65m, length=0.1m) has the worst dynamic performance between all of the speed humps. Also, sinusoidal profile seems to be a proper option from the viewpoint of a hump's efficiency. However, it acts more on the vertical acceleration of vehicles in comparison to all of the flat topped profiles.