Warsaw University of Technology / Research / Catalogue of Research Projects of Warsaw University Of Technology / Development of science and knowledge / Faculty of Automotive and Construction Machinery Engineering

Investigation of road surface friction characteristics from the point of view of traffic safety

supervisor Prof. Andrzej Reński, Ph.D., D.Sc
e-mail arenski@simr.pw.edu.pl
tel. +48 22 234 87 85
beginning 2006.11.13
end 2009.11.12

Aim of project
The aim of the project is investigation of phenomena related to interaction between tires and road surfaces, in particular improving measurement methods of road surfaces friction characteristics. In order to perform the task of the project, the method of mathematical description of the interaction between tires and road surfaces and advanced measurement system will be created.

The mathematical model and the measurement system makes it possible to investigate phenomena related to interaction between tires and road surfaces, and particularly to obtain friction characteristics of road surfaces. Knowledge of these characteristics has great significance for development of modern tires and road surfaces technologies.

An important part of the project is the design and construction of a new generation of dynamometrical trailer under the working name SRT-4, which will be the main part of the measurement system. It will be used in measurement of longitudinal friction between tires and road surface.

The data obtained from road measurement will be used for verifi cation and development of a modeling method of nonsmooth mechanics problems, which are very important for investigation of dynamics and stability of vehicles.

Expected results
The results of the project will be:
Measurement trailer SRT-4 with electronic equipment and appropriate software which form together a measurement system for investigation of road surfaces friction characteristics;

Index of friction characteristics of different tires on different roads under different meteorological conditions, which can be used for accident reconstructions;

Methodology of measurement and identification of dynamic characteristics of interaction between tires and road surface, which can be used in development and simulation of control units of such systems as ABS, ESP, etc.;

Verified mathematical model of interaction between tires and road surface, which can be used in computer simulation of dynamic phenomena occurring during vehicle motion, e.g. in drive simulators.