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With the use of digital audio tape recorders and piezo accelerometers, a practical field-ready method of determining occupant loading has been developed for heavy truck and equipment ride evaluation. The primary objective in determining ride quality is to verify the accelerations transferred to the occupant through the seat. These accelerations can then be compared to occupant threshold limits to assist the engineer in determining ride quality. The acquisition of acceleration data can be done incrementally for each component of the vehicle, from the ground up to the seat cushion. This allows for an in-depth analysis of suspension and frame components which can then be used to fine tune the design. A secondary use of this method is to evaluate the interaction of contributing components to overall ride quality. Specifically, tires, shock absorbers, air bellows, spring rates, fifth wheel position and front axle position can be evaluated with this field ready method.

The need for expert systems in the Heavy Truck and Bus Industry is rapidly approaching a critical point in time. This time reference is the revised emission standards and requirements for heavy duty diesels. This need is related to the influx of electronically controlled engines and their companion the electronically controlled transmission as well as the present shortage of skilled mechanics. This paper discusses the conceptual approach and reasons that expert systems are well suited as a diagnostic aid for vehicular repair. This paper also discusses the implementation of a commercially available expert system for the diagnosis of class 7 and 8 vehicles. The body of this paper will be divided into four discussions. First, applicability of AI/KB programs used for vehicle diagnostics. Second, the use of expert systems to diagnose electronically controlled power modules and their related interactivities with the vehicle.