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Evaluation of Highway Hydroplaning Risk Based on 3D Laser Scanning and Water-Film Thickness Estimation
Wenchen Yang1,2,3, Bijiang Tian1,2, Yuwei Fang1,2
1National Engineering Laboratory for Surface Transportation Weather Impacts Prevention, Broadvision Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd., Kunming 650200, China.
This study introduces a new framework for evaluating hydroplaning risk using 3D laser scanning and water-film thickness estimation. The findings show water accumulates on uneven road surfaces, impacting vehicle safety in rainy conditions.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Road Safety
Background:
- Hydroplaning poses a significant risk to highway safety and intelligent transportation systems.
- Water-film thickness on road surfaces is a critical factor in hydroplaning.
- Accurate estimation of water-film is essential for proactive safety measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel framework for evaluating hydroplaning potential.
- To integrate 3D laser scanning technology with water-film thickness estimation.
- To assess the influence of road surface geometry on water accumulation and hydroplaning risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a vehicle-mounted Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system to capture 3D road surface data.
- Applied a wavelet-based filter to process LiDAR data and remove environmental noise.
- Employed a numerical algorithm based on two-dimensional depth-averaged Shallow Water Equations (2DDA-SWE) for water-film thickness estimation.
- Investigated the impact of road surface geometry using field test data from Shanghai, China.
Main Results:
- Identified that water-film is more prevalent on rutting tracks and uneven pavement sections.
- Quantified hydroplaning speeds based on estimated water-film thickness.
- Demonstrated the correlation between road surface characteristics and hydroplaning risk.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework offers a new approach to water-film estimation on road surfaces.
- Findings provide valuable insights for drivers to make informed decisions during rainy weather.
- Enhanced understanding of hydroplaning mechanisms contributes to improved road safety management.
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