Angled WIM Sensor Segmentation for Roadway Force Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WIM systems with multiple sensors spaced apart in the driving direction are expensive and costly to install, resulting in limited measurement accuracy due to the high cost and complexity of installing multiple sensors in the roadway.
Innovation Solution
The WIM system features a WIM sensor oriented at an acute angle to the direction of vehicle travel, with multiple measurement zones along its longitudinal axis, allowing a wheel to traverse across multiple sections, providing improved measurement accuracy and confidence in force determination through signal deviation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple WIM sensors are arranged spaced apart in driving direction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The WIM sensor is divided into multiple measurement zones (first, second, third measurement zones) along its longitudinal axis, each capable of independently measuring wheel forces. This segmentation allows the sensor to obtain multiple measurements of the same wheel as it passes over, improving measurement accuracy through statistical methods without requiring multiple separate sensors to be installed in the roadway.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation of the WIM sensor from the conventional perpendicular arrangement to an acute angle relative to the direction of vehicle travel. This dimensional change in orientation allows the wheel to traverse across multiple measurement zones sequentially, enabling multiple measurements to be obtained from a single sensor installation, thereby improving accuracy without increasing the number of sensors required.
2Measurement precision
If multiple WIM sensors are arranged spaced apart in driving direction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The WIM sensor is divided into multiple measurement zones (first, second, third measurement zones) along its longitudinal axis, each capable of independently measuring wheel forces. This segmentation allows the sensor to obtain multiple measurements of the same wheel as it passes over, improving measurement accuracy through statistical methods without requiring multiple separate sensors to be installed in the roadway.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation of the WIM sensor from the conventional perpendicular arrangement to an acute angle relative to the direction of vehicle travel. This dimensional change in orientation allows the wheel to traverse across multiple measurement zones sequentially, enabling multiple measurements to be obtained from a single sensor installation, thereby improving accuracy without increasing the number of sensors required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances measurement accuracy and confidence in wheel force determination while reducing installation costs by utilizing fewer sensors, achieving higher accuracy comparable to systems with multiple perpendicular sensors at a lower cost.
Implementation Method 1
A WIM sensor measures a force that a vehicle exerts on a surface of a section of a roadway by the wheels of the vehicle while driving on the section of the roadway
Data Source
AI summary
A WIM system includes a WIM sensor that is arranged in a lane of a roadway flush with a roadway surface. The lane has a direction of travel for vehicles. The WIM sensor is of long design along a longitudinal axis with a length. The WIM sensor has a plurality of measurement zones Mi spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. Each measurement zone Mi is set up to individually determine a force Fi exerted on the WIM sensor. The longitudinal axis forms an alignment angle with the direction of travel such that a wheel of a vehicle passing over the WIM sensor along the direction of travel can be detected as measurement signals Si, Sj, Sk by at least three adjacent measurement zones Mi, Mj, Mk.