Title: Design and development of a road profile generator

Authors: Arnold Odrigo; Moustafa El-Gindy; Pär Pettersson; Zuzana Nedělková; Peter Lindroth; Fredrik Öijer

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4, Canada ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4, Canada ' Vehicle Engineering and Autonomous Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden ' Volvo Group Trucks Technology, Chassis & Vehicle Dynamics, Global Operations, Dept. 72990/1, 405 08 Göteborg, Sweden ' Volvo Group Trucks Technology, Chassis & Vehicle Dynamics, Global Operations, Dept. 72990/1, 405 08 Göteborg, Sweden

Abstract: This work aims to develop a method of generating a random road profile in three-dimensional space based on existing road design and classification standards and parameters, such examples being the Volvo Global Transport Application (GTA) and the International Organization of Standards (ISO). This is done by combining probability models, statistical distributions and mathematical methods of defining road curves, elevation and surface roughness through the use of MATLAB code. The proposed road profile generator code creates a road in three-dimensional space independent of vehicle characteristics and behaviour. The ultimate goal of this work is to contribute to the capabilities of modern virtual vehicle simulation systems by incorporating more random environments with respect to a wide range of established national standards to better simulate real driving loads.

Keywords: road profiles; curvature; trucks; topography; heavy vehicles; vehicle simulation; road design; road classification; probability models; statistical distributions; mathematical modelling; road curves; elevation; surface roughness; 3D modelling; national standards; driving loads.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2016.080875

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2016 Vol.11 No.3, pp.217 - 233

Received: 15 Jun 2016
Accepted: 02 Sep 2016
Published online: 09 Dec 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article