Measurement and analysis of delivery van vibration levels to simulate package testing for parcel delivery in Hungary

In the past several decades, there continues to be an increase in both domestic and international online and catalogue shipments that requires an increase in shipments and handling of parcels by single parcel delivery companies. This study measured the vibration levels that occur in parcel delivery shipments from pickup to delivery, especially the sections involving delivery vans and small vehicles over ground road transportation in Hungary. Goods that were shipped in the regions studied almost always travel at least once by van on varying road conditions such as motorways, main, side or city roads to deliver parcels to the final destination. The aim of this paper was to provide an understanding of vibration levels that occur during van transportation that can be used to pre-shipment test new packages to prevent damage. The measured acceleration-time data were analyzed in terms of power spectral densities (PSDs) and presented with statistical data to provide an understanding of the variability of intensity. The separated and averaged vibration levels that were measured in this study were compared with the American Society of Testing and Materials and the International Safe Transit Association vibration profiles for pickup and delivery vehicle in the form of PSD spectrums. Based on the analyzed data of this study, PSD spectra were provided for various route conditions as well as composite spectra, which can be used to simulate the measured vibration conditions representing van shipments.