Munzilah Md Rohani

Dynamic Load Coefficient of Tyre Forces from Truck Axles

This study aims to predict the Dynamic Load Coefficient (DLC) of tyre forces from truck axles. Dynamic Load Coefficient is frequently used to characterise the dynamic loads generated by axles. It is a simple measurement of the dynamic variation magnitude of the axle load, for a specific combination of road roughness and speed. Under normal operating conditions, the DLCs value is typically in the range of 0.05-0.3, and close to zero when the trucks wheels are moving over a perfectly smooth road. To achieve the objectives of this study, which is to determine the DLCs value for seven different types of axles, a simple validated quarter-truck model was excited by a random road surface profile, in order to simulate a vehicle-road interaction. Points are equally spaced along the simulated road to generate dynamic loadings over a broad range of truck speeds. Multiple trucks gross-weight conditions were used to present realistic traffic behaviour. The results showed that irregular road profiles, exciting the vehicle as it travelled, caused continually changing tyre forces. Also, dynamic loading was seen to be fundamentally influenced by the type of suspension (i.e., air and steel), loading condition, and vehicle speed. For example, the DLC value of the tyre forces of the quarter-truck fitted with a steel suspension was found to be more than twice that of the truck fitted with an air suspension. Tyre forces of the one-third laden truck were more aggressive than any other loading condition, due to the uncertain body-bounce generated by the truck, which was strongly dependent on surface irregularities. At low speed, the DLC was greatly decreased if the load was increased. Furthermore, DLC value was always lower for trucks with air suspension over steel suspension, for the same load and vehicle speed. However, air suspension efficiency was clearly better for higher axle loads.

Car Driving Behaviour on Road Curves : A study Case in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that in 2020, road accidents will become the third cause of deaths in the world. Several factors contribute to road accidents, among them are human error, speeding, irregularities in road design and period of driving (either nighttime or daytime). In road design, horizontal curves are of particular interest to the designer, given that accidents are very likely to occur at such locations if drivers lose control of their vehicles due to inappropriate speed choices. This study was conducted to investigate the variation of driving behaviour on horizontal curves. The test car was fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and driven by 30 participants. The research findings show that drivers’ choice of speed varies while approaching horizontal curve, on the curve and just after leaving the curve. Apart from this, although drivers were found to have driven at a slightly higher speed during daytime compare to evening driving, however the difference was not significant. A comparison between genders also revealed that female and male drivers drive at similar speed behaviour

Predicting Truck Load Variation Using Q-Truck Model

The study of heavy vehicle forces on pavement is important for both vehicle and pavement. Indeed it was identified several factors such as environment, materials and design consideration affects pavement damage over time with traffic loads playing a key role in deterioration. Therefore, this paper presents dynamically varying tire pavement interaction load, thus enable to assess the strain response of pavements influenced by road roughness, truck suspension system, variation of axle loading and vehicle speed. A 100m pavement with good evenness was simulated to check the sensitivity of the dynamic loads and heavy truck vertical motions to the roughness. The most important performance indicators that are required in pavement distress evaluation are radial strain at the bottom of the asphalt concrete and vertical strain at the subgrade surface was predicted using peak influence function approach. The results show that truck speed is the most important variables that interact with truck suspension system and thus effect of loading time are extremely important when calculating the critical.

Evaluation of Working Posture on Bus Traffic Controllers

This study aimed to evaluate the working posture of bus traffic controllers. The Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) prevalence and the exposure to the ergonomic risks factors (ERFs) among bus traffic controllers were determined. There were 26 respondents (16 male and 10 female) who were bus traffic controllers (BTC) at a prominent bus service provider were selected as the subjects. Data for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) prevalence among the bus traffic controllers were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and direct observation and assessment of ergonomic risks factors were conducted via Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). By using ROSA, the BTCs working posture and work environment were checked and measured in order to quantify the risks to ERFs. According to the assessment, more than half (15/26 respondents) of the bus traffic controllers were found to have an extreme posture with the ergonomic risk level was high (more than 4) (action level 3) which required a further investigation and changes of work habits soon. The research showed that most of the bus traffic controllers (BTC) were exposed to high ergonomics risk for MSDs development. To avoid MSDs, the personal working behaviours and the design of the computer-based workstations must be improved based on ergonomic principles.

Investigation of Source of Distraction among the intrastate bus driver: Focus Group Interview

Driver distraction have found as one of the main cause of accident all around the world. The driver distraction represents a significant problem to the personal transportation as well as the public transportation sector. However, factors of distraction especially in the context of public transport still has not widely explored. Thus, the aim of this research is to investigate the sources of distraction among the intrastate bus driver. This study will undergo focus group interview in order to achieve the objective of this research. 16 participants which are 8 participants from expert management and 8 participants from expert practitioner are involved in the focus group interview. From this research, there are 26 sources of distraction found in the focus group interview that overlap between both focus group. The result from this research can be used as guideline for improvement for the management of the intrastate bus services company and also for the future researcher as an aid to design the solution to overcome the sources of distraction.

Bus driving assistance system for town area by using ATmega328P microcontroller

Recently, several bus accidents happened because of bus driver’s behavior. In fact, there is no dedicated tool for assisting them to drive safely. This project gives solutions to this by assisting the driver, according to the speed and acceleration of the bus. These data are collected by using a motion processing unit (MPU-6050) and a global positioning system (GPS) and then indicate the driving mode status on the LEDs. All data and status are recorded in a secure digital (SD) card for the authority or the bus company to analyze the driving behavior of a bus driver. This system has been successfully developed and tested in two different areas which includes the UTHM main campus and the road from Parit Raja to Batu Pahat.

Proposing An Effective Route For Transporting Solid Waste Using Gis Approach

Transportation is one of the important elements in solid waste management. Effective transportation by selecting the shortest route can save time and cost in handling the waste. Thus, this paper presents a case study on deciding shortest waste transportation route from residential area to sanitary landfill in Kluang district handled by Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp). The shortest transportation distance was determined using ArcGIS software on the basis of coordinate tracking, data collection for network analysis and fuel consumption estimation. The case study focuses on municipal solid waste collection routes from residential area in Kluang district to Ladang CEP 1 sanitary landfill and Seelong sanitary landfill. The study found that SWCorp could save up to 18% and 7.3% of fuel consumption per day by following the effective routes for transporting solid waste to Ladang CEP 1 sanitary landfill and to Seelong Sanitary landfill respectively. The findings could assist SWCorp saving management cost and also keep environment cleaner.

Federal Road Profile Model Generation Based on Road Scanner Data

In Malaysia, the application of Mechanistic-Empirical approach in pavement design guide is still in early stage of introduction and many more researches need to improve it. One of the task needs is generating road profile model to evaluate the dynamic axle loads from vehicles. Therefore, this study aims to generate a few models of road profiles based on the real road profile data called reference road profiles model using mathematical method. The reference road profiles data are a measurement of new paved federal road in Malaysia. A profiles of two section roads (300 m length each) measured by road scanner were determined from Malaysia Public Work Institute (IKRAM). The Profile Viewing and Analysis software (ProVAL) was used to filter unwanted wavelength, visualized the measured road profile data and obtained the road profile International Roughness Index (IRI). Meanwhile, Matrix Laboratory software (MATLAB) was used to generate road profiles based on Dodds and Robson Power Spectral Density (PSD) approximation equation. The calibration between generated and reference road profiles were examined by correlation coefficient value. From the results, all generated road profiles with correlation coefficient value ranges between −1 < ρ < −0.7 or 0.7 < ρ < 1, gives different IRI values with the reference road profile. However, the differences of IRI values are acceptable (less than 5 %). Therefore, all 56 models of generated road profiles are applicable for long term pavement performance. Although, a road profile model with the same IRI value with a reference profile is the most applicable for long term pavement performance.