A study of braking patterns in terms of ride-comfort

Abstract

An experiment was conducted as intended to obtain a fundamental data to achieve an optimal braking pattern, which should be realized by brake control technology in the future. Considering the characteristics of brakes equipped with commercial trains, braking patterns in waveforms of a trapezoid was set up. The ratio of acceptable response, as an index of ride comfort, was obtained for each of 28 different braking patterns combined with the degrees of constant decelerations corresponding to the height of the trapezoid and the jerks corresponding to the inclination of the leg. The averages of subjective rating of breaking intensity and the ratio of subjects unable to maintain their initial postures were simultaneously obtained.
The ratio of unacceptable response, the rating of braking intensity, and the ratio of not able to maintain the initial postures were expressed respectively as estimated equations containing the degree of constant deceleration and that of the jerk as independent variables. The optimal pattern was theoretically discussed with these results. The estimation of the degree of constant deceleration and that of the jerk specific to the optimal pattern was concluded under the condition of a certain initial velocity and a certain distance to make a stop.