Influence of Sensor Position in Measuring Lateral Vibration Due to Vehicle Groove Wander

Abstract

The objective of the study presented in this paper was to determine the optimal sensor location to assess human discomfort during vehicle groove wander, a phenomenon whereby vehicle occupants experience uncomfortable lateral vibrations when driving over longitudinally grooved (or tined) Portland cement concrete pavement. Field testing was performed over a 4.8 km stretch of interstate highway using a vehicle known to experience vehicle groove wander. Lateral accelerations were measured during wander and nonwander driving at several sensor positions including the seat frame, seat cushion, seat back, and the passenger's head. The most effective sensor location to capture vibrations due to vehicle wander proved to be the passenger's head. The standard methods for evaluating human exposure to vehicle vibrations did not yield a reliable indication of the occurrence of wander or the discomfort it causes.