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Volume 13 | Issue 7 | Year 2026 | Article Id. IJME-V13I7P102 | DOI : https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P102

Simulation-Based Ergonomic Comfort Assessment of Truck Drivers using a Digital Human Model

Quoc Hoang Pham, Ky Nam Le, Van Tu Nguyen, Thanh Lam Tran

Received Revised Accepted Published
01 May 2026 23 Jun 2026 08 Jul 2026 30 Jul 2026

Citation :

Quoc Hoang Pham, Ky Nam Le, Van Tu Nguyen, Thanh Lam Tran, "Simulation-Based Ergonomic Comfort Assessment of Truck Drivers using a Digital Human Model," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13, no. 7, pp. 16-26, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I7P102

Abstract

This study aims to develop digital human models for a Vietnamese population group using empirical anthropometric data collected from 171 male students aged 20-29 years majoring in automotive engineering at Le Quy Don Technical University. A human body shape estimation method based on two RGB images, captured from the frontal and lateral views, was combined with the parameterized 3D human body model provided by the SMPL-X library to generate the model data. From these data files, key anthropometric parameters were calculated to support the assessment of driver postural comfort during vehicle operation. In addition, the study employed a KAMAZ-6560 truck cabin model and its main cabin components reconstructed from 3D scanning data, thereby determining the geometric dimensions corresponding to the real cabin. Based on the synthesized anthropometric data, three representative models corresponding to the minimum, mean, and maximum body sizes were selected. Siemens NX was then used to perform simulations with the Jack human model and the representative dataset. Driver posture was evaluated according to the comfort-angle criteria proposed by Porter and Gyi. Furthermore, for the original cabin layout, recommendations were proposed for the optimal positions of the seat and pedals when using the mean anthropometric dimensions of the surveyed group. The results show that the current clutch pedal height is 12.8 cm and its inclination is approximately 18° relative to the floor, causing the foot-ankle angle to exceed the comfort limit by about 15°. For the mean anthropometric case, the clutch pedal should be lowered so that the height from the contact point to the floor is within 7-8 cm. For the driver model with a stature of 188 cm, the seat should be moved forward by approximately 10 cm to ensure a comfortable arm working angle during driving.

Keywords

Digital Human Model, Vietnamese Anthropometry, Truck Cabin, Postural Comfort Assessment, Ergonomics.

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