Journal of the Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia

Impact of Oxygenated Fuels on Dry Soot Emissions in Diesel Engines

H.A. Hassan, N. Aliman, Z.M. Jawi — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dry Soot emissions pose a significant challenge for diesel engines, as they can severely impact human health and the environment. This study investigates the impact of oxygenated fuels on Dry Soot emissions from a TF120 YANMAR direct injection compression ignition diesel engine. Tests were conducted at engine speeds ranging from 1200 to 2400 rpm under no load, 50% of load, and 100% of load conditions. Diesel fuel was used as a comparison between two types of biodiesel blend fuels and two types of water-in-biodiesel blend fuels. The biodiesel blends included 5% biodiesel with 10% methanol (B5M10) and 10% biodiesel with 10% methanol (B10M10). The water-in-biodiesel blends included 3% water in the B5M10 blend (B5M10E3) and 3% water in the B10M10 blend (B10M10E3). The results indicate that the water-in-biodiesel blend fuel produced lower dry soot emissions than biodiesel blends and conventional diesel, highlighting their potential as environmentally friendly fuel alternatives.

A Development of Pesticide Spray Robot

E. Shamsudin, R.A.N. Riki Adikumara, M.N.F. Mohd Erdieshafry — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The agriculture industry has identified pest management in fertigation-based farms as a challenging task. Innovations in pesticide spraying technologies are crucial, as manual methods are laborious, inefficient, and hazardous due to chemical exposure. Therefore, this research introduces a pesticide spray robot. The design focuses primarily on flat surfaces. The development consists of three main layers: the development and integration layer, the communication layer, and the application layer. An ESP32 is used as the main controller, while the Android ESP Bluetooth Dabble app enables communication and control via Android smartphones. The robot’s performance was tested and validated on a real fertigation farm at Kebuniti Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah. Results show that the robot can be controlled using the Dabble application and can communicate over a Bluetooth network generated by the ESP32 at a maximum distance of 20 meters. Additionally, the robot can move on various types of flat surfaces, including uneven farm roads, at up to 30% of its maximum speed. In the future, this robot has the potential to revolutionize pest control, improve crop health and productivity, and eliminate the need for human labor and worker exposure to chemicals.

Child Occupant Safety Program: A Study at Selected Kindergartens in Kajang and Putrajaya

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The usage of Child Restraint System (CRS) in vehicles can increase the children's safety in the vehicle if they use it correctly. The study aimed to observe CRS usage, to determine the level of knowledge and behaviour towards CRS, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program. An intervention program was implemented for parents in 7 participating kindergartens at Kajang and Putrajaya. CRS Observation and survey were done before and after the program. A total of 120 respondents participated in the study. The result shows that all questions related to knowledge about CRS answered by parents showed a positive increase after the program compared to before the program. Furthermore, the mean of all dimensions (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, behavioural intention) was increased after the program. The overall use of CRS among children travelling to kindergarten is low at 2.3% after the
program. In conclusion, this study showed the effectiveness of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and behavioural intention among parents.

Optimization of Driver Behaviour Profiling Using K-means Clustering Algorithm with Environmental Context

M. H. Danial, Z. Z. Abidin, H. M. Yusof, N. A. Asyqin — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Advanced Telematic systems have transformed modern vehicles into centralized data collection systems. Contemporary vehicles nowadays are equipped with sensors to collect data and transmit it to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The data gathered from the sensors can provide insight into the driving behaviour and driving patterns. However, the high dimensionality and complexity of the vehicular data hinder its effective utilization for improving road safety; the data requires an advanced method for in-depth analysis. This study applies the K-means clustering algorithm to analyze and categorize driving behaviour patterns, and driving profiling was conducted based on the characteristics of each cluster. To account for external influences, environmental contexts through weather conditions were integrated into the analysis. The findings reveal that K-means effectively identifies six behavioural clusters; two clusters
were identified as good driving behaviour, while four clusters exhibit bad driving behaviour. Comparative analysis showed that environmental factors significantly influence driving styles, with more cautious behaviour observed under rainy conditions. The findings highlight the effectiveness of K-means clustering in profiling driving behaviour and emphasize the importance of considering environmental factors for accurate risk assessment. This research provides crucial information to the driver’s awareness, gives insight into policymakers and law enforcement, and thus improves road safety.

Big Bike Crashes in Malaysia: An Analysis of Media- Reported Crash Patterns and Policy Implications

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

“Big bikes”, a colloquial term in Malaysia for motorcycles with an engine capacity exceeding 250cc, represent a distinct and growing segment of the nation’s vehicle fleet. Unlike the ubiquitous small-capacity “Kapcai” used primarily for daily commuting, big bikes are frequently utilized for leisure touring and long-distance travel. Due to their higher power-to-weight ratios and speed capabilities, these vehicles present unique crash risks that differ significantly from those of smaller motorcycles. This study explores crash patterns, demographics, and risk factors associated with big bike accidents in Malaysia by analyzing 100 media-reported cases from 2018 to 2019. The results reveal a high fatality rate, with 86% of reported crashes resulting in death, and 92.1% of these fatalities occurring at the crash scene. Fatal crashes were evenly distributed between highways and federal roads and frequently occurred during daytime hours on weekends, correlating with leisure usage. Inferences from crash narratives suggest that handling errors and a lack of defensive riding skills are the primary contributing factors. These findings highlight a critical gap in the current licensing framework. The study concludes that the recent policy shift allowing easier transitions to full B-class licenses must be counterbalanced with rigorous, specialized training focused on high-speed machine control and hazard perception to ensure the safety of this vulnerable road user group.

Energy Absorption Efficiency of Crash Box Designs Analysis for NXGV Challenge 2025

M. Z. Mohamed, M. A. M. Mustafa, M. R. M. Husin — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to develop and compare the effectiveness of two different crash box designs for the NxGV Challenge 2025 vehicle, focusing on enhancing safety and optimizing impact energy absorption. The crash box is a crucial component in electric vehicle (EV) safety systems, designed to absorb collision energy and minimize both driver injuries and structural damage. An efficient crash box reduces the force transmitted to the vehicle’s chassis, thereby improving overall crashworthiness. In this research, both crash box designs will be analyzed using HyperMesh for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to evaluate their structural integrity and impact resistance. Physical impact tests will be conducted to validate simulation results. Both designs will utilize 2mm thick aluminum, selected for its lightweight properties, durability, and high energy absorption efficiency. The impact analysis will simulate a 325kg mass colliding at a velocity of 6.25m/s, representing realistic crash conditions. Performance evaluation will focus on maximum impact force, displacement, and energy absorption efficiency to determine the most effective design. The findings from this study are expected to contribute to the advancement of safer and more efficient crash box designs for lightweight electric race vehicles, with potential applications in real-world automotive safety improvements.

Design of an Accumulator Hand Cart for FSAE Electrical Vehicle

S. R. Isnin, M. D. H. Noorasni, M. F. I. Anuar — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Formula SAE Electric (FSAE) competition encourages engineering students to design and manufacture advanced electric race cars with a strong emphasis on safety, performance, and innovation. One aspect of the electric vehicle (EV) system that is often overlooked is the handling and transportation of the high-voltage accumulator. This paper presents the design of an accumulator hand cart specifically tailored for FSAE electric vehicle regulations. The hand cart is intended for safe and efficient transportation of the accumulator during vehicle assembly and maintenance activities, especially at competition venues. Key design considerations include mechanical stability, maneuverability, the required range of motion for operation, the safe lifting and removal of the accumulator from the chassis, and compliance with FSAE safety standards. The integration of a jack-lift mechanism enables controlled and secure lifting of the accumulator into the chassis, while a dead-man braking system is incorporated to prevent unintended movement and potential damage to the accumulator enclosure. Overall, the design of the hand cart is intended to improve safety during maintenance and competition operations, minimize setup time, and offer a practical solution for handling high-voltage components in FSAE electric vehicles.

Simulation and Performance Analysis of an Electric Racing Car Powertrain: BLDC Motor Control

A. H. Ab Halim, M. N. Ahmad, R. N. Raja Ab Kadir — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Electric racing cars require high-performance powertrain systems to achieve efficient energy utilization and optimal driving dynamics. This research presents a simulation-based analysis of an electric racing car powertrain, focusing on a critical subsystem: BLDC motor operation. A MATLAB/Simulink model of a three-phase BLDC motor is developed, incorporating a PI-based control mechanism to drive the motor at a specified speed. The simulation evaluates key parameters such as motor current, power consumption, and torque characteristics. Unlike previous studies that examine motor control and energy storage separately, this work integrates both components in a unified simulation framework, offering a comprehensive view of the powertrain operation. The results demonstrate that the BLDC motor successfully runs at the desired speed. This study provides insights into the operation of BLDC motors for energy delivery systems in high-performance EVs, making it valuable for the development and optimization of next- generation electric racing cars.

A Comparative CFD Study on Aerodynamic Performance of NxGV Chassis with and without a Rear Spoiler

H. A. Zaman, I. Hamid, I. M. Indra Maiza — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study presents a comprehensive aerodynamic analysis of an NxGV chassis, assessed with and without a rear spoiler, utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Simulations were performed under uniform flow conditions using Autodesk CFD 2024 at 100 km/h to evaluate the impact of the spoiler on drag, pressure distribution, and turbulence characteristics. Findings indicate that the rear spoiler significantly modifies flow dynamics, increases downforce, and improves aerodynamic stability. The chassis with a spoiler generated a downforce of -8.63×10⁹ dynes, in contrast to -5.68×10⁸ dynes in the configuration without a spoiler, and elevated turbulent dissipation from 171,256.0 to 5,366,270.0 cm²/s³. Furthermore, drag experienced a slight rise from -2.44×10⁹ to - 2.84×10⁹ dynes. These numbers highlight the tangible advantages of including aerodynamic devices in vehicle design.

Impact of Emulsion Fuels on Particulate Surface Morphology and Implications for Air Quality

H. A. Hassan, N. Aliman — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Emulsion fuels have emerged as promising alternatives for cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies. These fuels offer a sustainable pathway to reducing environmental impact through enhanced energy efficiency, improved torque, superior engine performance, and lower pollutant emissions. This study focuses on analyzing the surface morphology of particulates formed during the combustion of emulsion fuels to better understand the mechanisms underlying particulate matter (PM) formation in exhaust emissions. A multifaceted research approach was adopted, including the preparation of materials and experimental equipment, as well as the formulation of fuel blends, namely B5M10, B10M10, B5M10E3, and B10M10E3, where B represents biodiesel, M denotes methanol, E indicates an emulsion fuel, and the numbers correspond to blend ratios. The findings provide critical insights into how different fuel compositions influence particulate characteristics and emission behavior. The results support the viability of emulsion fuels and biodiesel as renewable, environmentally friendly alternatives capable of significantly reducing PM emissions, thereby contributing to improved air quality and sustainable energy solutions.