Commercial straight-deck trailer vibration and microclimate conditions during market-weight pig transport during summer

The objective of this study was to collect and quantify three-axis acceleration data from six locations within commercial pig transport trailers during summer. Two trucks with straight-deck trailers transporting two loads per day were observed for 5 consecutive days (N= 20). Accelerometers were placed under the floor of each trailer’s top and bottom decks (DECs) in the center of three sections (SECs): fore, middle, and aft. Data from each trailer section were processed to calculate z- and x,y-axis root mean square (RMS) values and vibration dose values (VDVs) during loading, transport, and unloading. There were no DEC × SEC interactions or SEC main effects for z-axis RMS or VDV during any transportation stage (P> 0.06). The bottom deck had a greater x,y-axis RMS than the top deck during all transportation stages (P< 0.01). The bottom deck had a greater x,y-axis VDV than the top deck during loading and transport (P< 0.03), but there was no difference (P= 0.52) during unloading. The bottom deck had a greater z-axis RMS and VDV than the top deck during loading and transport (P< 0.01), but there were no differences during unloading (P> 0.07). There were no SEC effects for x,y- and z-axis RMSs and VDVs during all transportation stages (P> 0.06). Acceleration values were compared with exposure action values (EAV; injury possible) and exposure limit values (ELV; injury likely) vibrations thresholds. Over the 5 observation days during all transport stages, a greater percentage of compartments violated both RMS and VDV thresholds in the x,y orientation (average 90%) than in the z orientation (average 76%). Overall, these data indicate that bottom decks experience greater three-axis vibrations than top decks in straight-deck trailers and that pigs on bottom decks may experience greater discomfort during transportation that could contribute to fatigue or the non-ambulatory condition.