Vehicles drivers of are exposed to significant levels of whole-body vibration (VGC) and intermittent shocks, which have been associated with an increased risk of lower back pain and degeneration of the spine. To limit driver exposure to VGCs, suspension seats are widely used, but their effectiveness is affected by the nature of vibration.

Suspension seat manufacturers generally recommend a particular suspension seat design for a wide range of vehicles, which may not provide optimal suspension performance considering significant differences in vibration characteristics of vehicles. In order to allow users to make better choices, a research team funded by the IRSST carried out a review of the state-of-the-art developments in suspension seats so as to gain knowledge towards an eventual development of a suspension seat advisor.

However, they concluded that knowledge about the design of suspension seats suitable for various types of vehicles remains very limited. Further analysis and experimentation efforts are therefore highly desirable in order to be able to develop a future reliable advisory system for suspension seats.