An investigation into the effect of parabolic speed hump profiles on ride comfort and driving safety under variable vehicle speeds: A campus experience

This study aims to investigate the effect of parabolic speed hump profiles on ride comfort and driving safety under variable vehicle speeds. To this end, in-situ and simulation tests were carried out in which root-mean-square values were evaluated. Field tests were performed on seven parabolic speed humps within the boundaries of Istanbul Technical University Ayazaga Campus Area. These tests were conducted twice with different loads. Five vehicle speeds were taken into account within the range of 15 km/h to 35 km/h with 5 km/h increments. As in-situ tests focused on the measurement of the vertical acceleration when crossing the speed humps, maximum vertical accelerations and root-mean-square values were recorded by means of an accelerometer and a software. Two sets of parabolic speed hump profiles were considered for the simulation stage and then the results of the field tests and the simulation tests were compared. The results have yielded vehicle speed and parabolic speed hump height as the most important parameters affecting ride comfort and driving safety. It has also been demonstrated that the weight of the vehicle is negatively associated with motorists’ sense of discomfort and an increase in the length of speed humps results in slightly better ride comfort.