Estimating Tire-Road Friction from Probe Vehicles

路面状况对驾驶安全至关重要，特别是在恶劣天气下。潮湿和结冰的道路只发生3%的时间，但占18%以上的碰撞。 该项目将开发一个模型，以估计轮胎路面摩擦的基础上融合轮胎和车辆传感器与先进的算法。 真实的收集和评估这些信息的能力将有助于驾驶员做出更好的驾驶决策。运输机构也将能够设计积极主动的战略。 例如，各机构可以使用摩擦估计来识别和处理事故发生前易发生的“热点”，或者在冬季风暴期间优先处理最关键的路段。这项研究将联合收割机从轮胎和车辆传感器的反应，开发模型，以评估轮胎和路面之间的摩擦水平。该项目有两个具体目标：（1）开发一种理论来描述轮胎-路面接触力学和由此产生的摩擦特性;（2）进行实验来验证所提出的模型。 该项目填补了预测轮胎-路面接触和摩擦的数学模型和算法开发的关键空白。该项目还整合了机械工程和土木工程的知识，以提高评估轮胎路面摩擦的技术。对危险驾驶条件的可用、实时、基于车辆的估计将有助于改善运输机构的运营和驾驶安全。

The surface condition of a road is critical for driving safety, particularly during adverse weather. Wet and icy roads occur only 3 percent of the time but account for more than 18 percent of crashes. The project will develop a model to estimate tire-pavement friction based on the fusion of tire and vehicle sensors with advanced algorithms. The ability to collect and evaluate such information in real time will help drivers make better driving decisions. Transportation agencies will also be able to design proactive strategies. For example, agencies could use the friction estimates to identify and treat accident-prone "hot spots" before crashes happen, or to prioritize the most critical road segments to treat first during a winter storm. The resulting enhanced decision-making can help reduce the number of crashes and save lives.This research will combine responses from tire and vehicle sensors to develop models to evaluate the friction levels between tires and pavement. The project has two specific goals: (1) to develop a theory to describe the tire-road contact mechanics and the resulting friction properties; and (2) to conduct experiments to validate the proposed model. The project fills a critical gap in the development of mathematical models and algorithms for predicting tire-pavement contact and friction. The project also integrates knowledge from mechanical engineering and civil engineering to advance the techniques for evaluating tire-pavement friction. Available, real-time, vehicle-based estimates of hazardous driving conditions will help improve operations in transportation agencies and driving safety.