Vehicle-width Measurement Technology Development: Phase I Technical Memorandum

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) was tasked with investigating the feasibility of developing a vehicle-width measurement and alert system to reduce over-width violations in Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) work zones. A two-phase approach was developed to investigate the measurement system feasibility. During Phase I, the focus of the current report, VTTI first generated design criteria with support from stakeholders (i.e., the Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research [VCTIR] and VDOT). Next, researchers and engineers assessed existing vehicle-width measurement systems against these criteria to determine design gaps, and then explored solutions (e.g., new technologies) to these design gaps. Identified potential solutions were then tested on the Virginia Smart Road. In the end, VTTI developed a preliminary system architecture for a vehicle-width measurement system. Based on the findings of this research effort three recommendations are offered to guide future development of a vehicle-width measurement system.