Impact Assessment of Speed Bump on Vehicle Suspension System on Selected Road in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Traffic safety is a critical aspect of road design and maintenance, with speed bumps playing a significant role in controlling vehicular speed in accident-prone areas. However, the indiscriminate installation of speed bumps in Benue State, Nigeria, often without adherence to engineering standards, has raised concerns about their adverse effects on vehicle performance and road infrastructure. This study evaluates the impact of speed bumps on vehicle suspension systems across five selected roads in Benue State, Nigeria. A comprehensive survey was conducted to document the dimensions, shapes, and locations of the speed bumps, as well as measurements of average vehicle speeds across these bumps. The dynamic behavior of vehicle suspension systems traversing these bumps was simulated using MATLAB to assess the impact of varying bump dimensions. The results reveal significant deviations from the Institute of Transportation Engineers standards, with bump heights ranging from 0.06 to 0.17 meters and widths ranging from 0.20 to 0.31 meters. Simulations were employed to analyze suspension stress, pitch angle, spring displacement, and settling time for cars, SUVs, and buses. The Gboko–Ugbema road exhibited the most severe dynamic responses, with SUVs experiencing stresses of up to 12.39 MPa and prolonged settling times exceeding 5 seconds. In contrast, the Makurdi–Aliade road, with bump dimensions closest to ITE standards, resulted in the least mechanical strain, with stress values for SUVs and buses at 3.79 and 4.67 MPa, respectively. Additionally, the results of the angle of inclination revealed discrepancies between the simulated and measured values. The study concludes that adherence to standard bump dimensions is necessary to minimize suspension damage and enhance vehicle durability.