Low-cost sensing system for measuring tire width, wheel wander & vehicle classification

Abstract

This paper presents a low-cost, pressure sensor-based system designed for real-time monitoring of tire widths, vehicle classifications, and wheel wander in highway traffic. By integrating sensors encased in rubber strips across lanes, the system captures voltage signals generated by the tires of passing vehicles. These signals facilitate tire width estimation, axle-based vehicle classification, and wheel wander measurement. Tested on US127 in Mason, MI, the system demonstrated high accuracy in vehicle classification, showing minor errors compared to Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) data and achieving a weighted error of 1.54%. This innovative approach provides essential data for pavement analysis and traffic monitoring, offering a reliable, minimally invasive solution adaptable for continuous traffic data collection.