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Smart Structures and Systems
  Volume 19, Number 2, February 2017 , pages 151-161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sss.2017.19.2.151
 


IRI estimation using analysis of dynamic tire pressure and axle acceleration
Yubo Zhao, J. Gregory McDaniel and Ming L. Wang

 
Abstract
    A new method is developed to estimate road profile in order to estimate IRI based on the ASTM standard. This method utilizes an accelerometer and a Dynamic Tire Pressure Sensor (DTPS) to estimate road roughness. The accelerometer measures the vertical axle acceleration. The DTPS, which is mounted on the tire\' s valve stem, measures dynamic pressure inside the tire while driving. Calibrated transfer functions are used to estimate road profile using the signals from the two sensors. A field test was conducted on roads with different quality conditions in the city of Brockton, MA. The IRI values estimated with this new method match the actual road conditions measured with Pavement Condition Index (PCI) based on the ASTM standard, images taken from an onboard camera and passengers\' perceptions. IRI has negative correlation with PCI in general since they have overlapping features. Compared to the current method of IRI measurement, the advantage of this method is that a) the cost is reduced; b) more space is saved; c) more time is saved; and d) mounting the two sensors are universally compatible to most cars and vans. Therefore, this method has the potential to provide continuous and global monitoring the health of roadways.
 
Key Words
    road roughness detection; International Roughness Index (IRI); dynamic tire pressure; mobile sensing; road health monitoring; Pavement Condition Index (PCI)
 
Address
Yubo Zhao and Ming L. Wang: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
Gregory McDaniel: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
 

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