Accelerometer-Based Pavement Classification for Vehicle Dynamics Analysis Using Neural Networks

This research examines the influence of various pavement types on vehicle dynamics, specifically concentrating on vertical acceleration and its implications for unsprung mass, including the wheels and suspension system. The objective of this project was to categorize pavement types with accelerometer data, enabling a deeper comprehension of the impact of road surface conditions on vehicle stability, comfort, and mechanical stress. Two categorization methods were utilized: a neural network and a multinomial logistic regression model. Accelerometer data were gathered while a car navigated diverse terrain types, such as grates, potholes, and cobblestones. The neural network model exhibited exceptional performance, with 100% accuracy in categorizing all surface types, while the multinomial logistic regression model reached 97.14% accuracy. The neural network demonstrated exceptional efficacy in differentiating intricate surface types such as potholes and grates, surpassing the logistic regression model which had difficulties with these surfaces. These results underscore the neural network’s effectiveness in the real-time categorization of road surfaces, enhancing the comprehension of vehicle dynamics influenced by pavement conditions. Future studies must tackle the difficulty of identifying analogous surfaces by enhancing methodologies or integrating more data attributes for greater precision.