Development of a Salt Spreader Controller Program Using Machine-Sensed Roadway Weather Parameters
Massachusetts treats more than 15,000 lane miles during winter. It is critical to deliver the materials efficiently and effectively so that the impacts of winter storms on road operations are minimized while the utilization of the materials is maximized to reduce potential environmental impacts. This proposed study aims to develop and validate an automated system that can automatically adjust the spreader controller based on the acquired mobile RWIS sensor data, such as road temperature, grip level, and surface state. The anticipated products include a hardware/software program that enables automated roadway treatment with minimum supervisor/plow driver’s intervention. The program will consist of essential hardware, RWIS data acquisition software, and the spreader controlling algorithm. The research team will also provide recommendations on utilizing the developed programs through tutorials and presentations. If successful, the outcome of this study will include a sensor-based material application decision model and the recommended configurations for sensor instrumentation so that it lays a critical foundation for seamless integration and successful implementation for a more extensive fleet of MassDOT winter operation vehicles in the future.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Federal Highway Administration
Massachusetts Division
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
Cambridge, Massachusetts United States 02142 -
Principal Investigators:
Ai, Chengbo
Tessier, Russell
- Start Date: 20220425
- Expected Completion Date: 20240731
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automatic controllers; Deicing chemicals; Maintenance equipment; Real time information; Sensors; Spreaders; Winter maintenance
- Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
- Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01857500
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Sep 12 2022 5:17PM