Title: Comparison of methods for winter road friction estimation using systems implemented for floating car data

Authors: Sofia Sollén; Johan Casselgren

Addresses: Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SE 971 87, Sweden ' Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, SE 971 87, Sweden

Abstract: Winter road maintenance is important for preventing accidents and enabling mobility. If the road friction gets low, there is a higher risk of road accidents. Therefore, it is vital to have information about road friction levels. Traditionally this is done by dedicated vehicles; however, using friction information from floating car data (FCD) would be more beneficial, as the coverage both in time and space increases. In this investigation, road friction data from three FCD suppliers, using only one test vehicle each, has been compared with a continuous method of road friction measurement. The test has been conducted on proving grounds covered with ice and snow, and on public roads covered with water, ice, snow, and slush; thereby both high friction and low friction surfaces have been evaluated. The investigation shows that the FCD provides a continuous method of friction measurement and is closer to the reality of road friction experienced by road users.

Keywords: road friction; friction estimation; winter road maintenance; vehicle data; optical sensor; floating car data; FCD; big data; experimental validation; vehicle testing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2023.132935

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2023 Vol.17 No.2, pp.101 - 111

Received: 05 Oct 2022
Received in revised form: 14 Nov 2022
Accepted: 09 Jan 2023
Published online: 20 Aug 2023 *