Vehicle Axle Detection and Spacing Calibration Using MEMS Accelerometer

Vehicle classification data especially trucks has an important role in both pavement maintenance and highway planning strategy. An advanced microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer for vehicle classification based on axle count and spacing was designed, tested, and applied to the pavement. Vehicle-pavement interaction was collected by the vibration sensor while vehicle axle count and spacing were calibrated later. Collected vibration data also used to analyze the pavement surface condition and compared with simulation using dynamic loading analysis. Laboratory tests using MMLS3 device to verify the accuracy of MEMS accelerometer and reaction under different surface condition were tested. An algorithm for calculating axle spacing and axle count was developed. Acceleration of different pavement surface condition were analyzed and compared with simulation results, the influence of surface condition to the pavement acceleration was concluded.