Evaluating whole-body vibration reduction by comparison of active and passive suspension seats in semi-trucks

Abstract

Truck drivers have one of the highest injury rates in the US workforce with the majority of injuries occurring in the low-back. Exposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is thought to be a significant factor. This study compared difference in WBV exposures in sixteen drivers who drove a semi-truck over a standardized test route with a passive (air suspension) and electromagnetic vibration cancelling (active suspension) seat. Tri-axial WBV measurements of average weighted vibration (A_w), Vibration Dose Value (VDV), and Static Compressive Dose (S_ed) were collected and compared between the two seats. Vehicle speed and location was collected with GPS loggers. The results show when compared to the passive suspension seat, the active suspension seat reduced A_w (p<0.001) and VDV (p<0.001) vibrations exposures by roughly 50%, with impulsive exposures (S_ed) being reduced by approximately 20% (p=0.02). Based on the results the active suspension seat appears to have the potential to substantially reduce an operator’s exposure to WBV.

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