Vehicle Telemetry IRI Estimation for Scalable Road Roughness Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the International Roughness Index (IRI) of road pavements are expensive and difficult to implement on a large scale, necessitating a faster and easier method for quantifying road pavement roughness and IRI estimation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimates IRI based on vehicle vertical accelerations, tire and suspension damping and stiffness coefficients, using vehicle telemetry data and transfer functions to calculate IRI values more frequently and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional IRI measurement methods using quarter-car or full-car mathematical models are employed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vehicle telemetry data (accelerometers, GPS, vehicle parameters) as a simplified copy or proxy for the complex quarter-car/full-car mathematical models. Instead of directly implementing expensive specialized measurement equipment, the system copies the essential measurement function using readily available vehicle sensor data processed through transfer functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (physical quarter-car apparatus with specialized sensors and equipment) with an information-based system using vehicle telemetry data, GPS coordinates, and computational transfer functions. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical measurement infrastructure while maintaining IRI estimation capability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional IRI measurement methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to difficulty in large-scale implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement system universal by using data already collected by vehicles for other purposes (navigation, telematics, fleet management). The same vehicle fleet used for commercial operations also serves as the measurement platform, eliminating the need for dedicated measurement equipment and enabling large-scale deployment across extensive road networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the vehicle's own existing sensors and data collection capabilities to perform IRI measurements. Vehicles essentially measure the roads they travel on as part of their normal operation, without requiring separate measurement missions or specialized equipment, thereby enabling continuous, large-scale data collection.
3Productivity
If vehicle telemetry data and transfer functions are used for IRI estimation, then productivity is improved through frequent and easy measurements, but measurement precision may deteriorate compared to traditional methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs transfer functions that relate vehicle response parameters (accelerations, suspension forces) to road surface parameters (IRI). By establishing mathematical relationships between easily measurable vehicle parameters and the desired road roughness metric, the system achieves accurate IRI estimation through parameter transformation rather than direct measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle itself acts as an intermediary between the road surface and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring road irregularities, the system measures how the vehicle responds to those irregularities (through accelerometers and suspension sensors), using the vehicle as a mediator to infer road conditions from its dynamic response.
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
Enables frequent and cost-effective IRI estimation by leveraging vehicle data to assess road roughness, facilitating more accurate and widespread road maintenance planning.
Implementation Method 1
the damping and stiffness coefficients of the suspensions of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
vertical accelerations
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for estimating the International Roughness Index (IRI) of a road or road segment includes determining the IRI as a function of physical quantities relating to the motion of a vehicle, for instance the vertical accelerations, and to the vehicle itself, for instance the damping and stiffness coefficients of the suspensions of the vehicle and the tires mounted on the vehicle.