Road Surface Evaluation Using Map Data and Vehicle Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road surface evaluation methods based on acceleration sensors are inadequate due to variations caused by tire position and weather conditions, leading to insufficient evaluation of road surface profiles.
Innovation Solution
A road surface evaluation apparatus and method that acquires vehicle information and map data to derive road surface roughness and reliability using machine learning, specifically employing a Gaussian process for interpolation, to provide accurate and reliable road surface profile assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If road surface profile is detected based on acceleration measured by acceleration sensor, then road surface evaluation can be performed, but the evaluation accuracy is insufficient due to variations from tire position and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces map information as an intermediary element to connect vehicle acceleration data with road surface characteristics. By integrating GPS position data with pre-stored road information from maps, the system mediates between the vehicle's measured acceleration and the actual road surface profile, enabling more accurate evaluation that accounts for location-specific conditions and reduces variability from tire position and weather factors.
2Device complexity
If only acceleration sensor data is used for road surface evaluation, then the system complexity is low, but the evaluation comprehensiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information sources including vehicle acceleration sensor data, GPS position information, and pre-stored map data into a unified road surface evaluation system. This combination integrates dynamic vehicle measurements with static geographical information, creating a comprehensive evaluation that compensates for the limitations of using acceleration data alone while maintaining practical system complexity.
3Productivity
If road surface evaluation is performed without considering vehicle position and map information, then the processing speed is fast, but the evaluation accuracy varies with tire position and weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing road surface information and map data in a database before actual evaluation occurs. This allows the system to quickly retrieve relevant road information based on GPS position during real-time evaluation, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while significantly improving accuracy by accounting for location-specific road characteristics, tire position effects, and weather conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A road surface evaluation apparatus includes a microprocessor and a memory connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to perform: acquiring vehicle information including information indicating a motion of a vehicle while traveling and position information of the vehicle and map information including information on a road on which the vehicle is traveling, deriving roughness information indicating a roughness of road surface and a reliability of the roughness information based on the vehicle information, and outputting the roughness information and the reliability in association with the information on the road.