Comparative Study of Whole-Body Vibration Exposure Between Train and Car Passengers: A Case Study in Malaysia

Abstract

Trains and cars are the most important modes of transportation throughout the world. In highly developed countries, trains have become essential for human use as the most well-known form of public transportation, whereas the car plays a significant role in prompt human travel from one place to another. The high magnitude of vibration caused by trains and cars may cause health problems in humans, especially low back pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate the values of daily exposure to vibration A(8) and the vibration dose value (VDV) in passengers travelling by train and car and to assess the effects produced by this exposure on the human body. Moreover, this study introduces a newly developed whole-body vibration measurement instrumentation system. One train travelling from the east coast to the south of Malaysia was chosen to conduct the study. Whole-body vibration exposure was measured over 8 hours, which is equal to the duration of normal occupational exposure. One car was chosen randomly and whole-body vibration exposure was measured for 5 min and 10 min. All the data were computed using an IEPE(ICP TM ) accelerometer sensor connected to a DT9837 device which is capable of effectively measuring and analysing vibration. The vibration results were displayed on a personal computer using a custom graphical user interface (GUI). Matlab software was used to interpret the data. From the results, the whole-body vibration exposure level could be determined. It can be concluded that the whole-body vibration absorbed by the human body is enhanced when the magnitude of the vibration exposure experienced by the passengers increased. This was shown by the increased values of daily exposure to vibration A(8) and VDV calculated in the study.

Whole-Body Vibration Exposure of Malaysian Taxi Drivers

“…Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a mechanical energy oscillation which is transferred to the human body as a whole and it occurs usually through a supporting system, such as a seat or platform [1,2]. Whole-body vibration is used to describe a situation when the whole environment is undergoing motion and the effect of interest is not local to any particular point of contact between the body and the environment [3].…”

A mathematical model of the apparent mass of the human body under fore-and-aft whole-body vibration

“…In this case, the comfort of the driver and passengers could be affect by this motion. In addition, during long journeys and/or with high vibration magnitude, the excitation of the frequency of this peak could lead to health problems associated with the exposure to vibration [1]. Seats to be installed in vehicles that experience high fore-and-aft vibration should be designed to attenuate the vibration at the frequency of this peak.…”

“…For example, trains have high horizontal motion (e.g. Nuawi et al [1], Gong and Griffin [2] ), ships have substantial rotational motion (e.g. Griffin [3]) and off-road vehicles have high horizontal vibration components, as reported by Lundström and Lindberg [4].…”

Development and Analysis of Human Biodynamic Model Seated on a Driver Seat Exposure to Whole-Body Vibration

“…M.Z. Nuawi et al Validated the travelling passengers exposed to vibration with daily exposure to vibration A(8) values and vibration dose value (VDV) [5]. To assist the development of these new systems, study of the vibration effect on passengers becomes increasingly important.…”