T.W. Agustina1*, S. Malkhamah1, S. Priyanto1
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, INDONESIA
*Corresponding author: triwiraswatiagustina1997@mail.ugm.ac.id
Track-Time Analysis of Railway Vibration Using Smartphone Sensors: A Case Study on Indonesian Commuter Rail
T.W. Agustina(1)*, S. Malkhamah(1), S. Priyanto(1)
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, INDONESIA
*Corresponding author: triwiraswatiagustina1997@mail.ugm.ac.id
ABSTRACT
Railway ride comfort in commuter rail systems is strongly influenced by vibration generated during normal train operation. Conventional vibration monitoring relies on dedicated measurement systems that are often costly and limited in operational flexibility. This study presents a smartphone-based approach for onboard vibration measurement combined with track-time analysis to identify high-vibration zones in Indonesian commuter rail (KRL) services. Vertical and lateral acceleration data were
collected during regular passenger operation using a smartphone accelerometer integrated with MATLAB Mobile. Continuous comfort indices (CCy and CCz) and event-based indices (Pct and Pde) were evaluated following the EN 12299 framework. The results indicate non-uniform vibration exposure along the route, with representative peaks occurring during train departure from station areas. Vertical vibration reached approximately 0.50 m/s² (CCz), while lateral vibration approached 0.30 m/s² (CCy)
during acceleration phases. Event-based analysis identified transient discomfort events with Pct values up to approximately 25.6%, whereas Pde events were less frequent and spatially localised. These findings provide preliminary evidence of the potential of smartphone-based vibration measurement combined with track-time analysis for preliminary ride comfort assessment and maintenance prioritisation in commuter rail operations.
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