Vibration Simulation Model of Passenger-Wheelchair System in Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle

A model that simulates vibration transmission to a wheelchair-bound passenger riding in a wheelchair-accessible vehicle was developed and tested. The model is a component of a comfort evaluation prediction system, which is used to predict the passenger’s subjective evaluation of discomfort caused by floor vibration. A model of a wheelchair-bound passenger was used to estimate unknown parameters. A simulation using the model to predict the effect of adding a suspension system to the rear-wheel assembly of the wheelchair demonstrated the applicability of the model.