Measurement through Dynamic Tire Pressure Sensor inside the Tire

摘要

In order to best prioritize road maintenance, the level of deterioration must be known for all roads in the network. International Roughness Index (IRI) is a key standardized and widely used parameter to quantify road roughness and to aid officials in making road maintenance decisions. A low IRI value indicates smooth road and a high value indicates road has distresses such as severe cracking, potholes, and rutting, etc. IRI measurement using laser profilometers with accelerometers mounted on the front or rear bumper of a vehicle along the wheel path is commonly used at a driving speed of above 40 mph. IRI values measured through laser are questionable below this speed and will not work when road is wet. This paper discusses an alternative method to estimate IRI using a dynamic tire pressure sensor (DTPS) inside the tire as vehicle is moving. This method is working at a speed of above 15 MPH suitable for both interstate highways as well as urban roadways which required a driving speed of below 40 MPH. It works at all weather conditions since the measurement is the tire pressure change inside the tire through road and tire interaction. A feasibility and repeatability test on highway and airport through a certification test which was administered by Massachusetts Department of Transportation is therefore reported. The accuracy is equivalent to laser based IRI values.