UHF RFID Tags Installation Methods for Vehicle Navigation on Paved and Unpaved Roads

This study investigated the communication performance of ultrahigh-frequency radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems with embedded RFID tags on challenging roads. Surface-mounted RFID tags are used for vehicle guidance. However, in snowy regions, they are vulnerable to damage caused by snow removal. Accordingly, RFID tags were embedded beneath the road surface, and the influence of an installation angle of 30° on communication performance was evaluated. Using the appropriate installation angle for asphalt embedding, this study investigated unpaved roads, where tag stability is influenced by water flow and soil displacement. To improve durability, RFID tags were attached to geocell-based reinforcement structures using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe holders. The communication performance was comparable to that of asphalt-embedded configurations. To further improve installation, a concrete-block-based embedding approach was investigated. Gravel concrete and mortar concrete block produce significant electromagnetic attenuation, which reduces the communication range. Therefore, a hybrid design using PVC pipes embedded in commercially available concrete blocks and holes filled with crushed stone was developed. This design achieves the communication range required for reliable vehicle navigation while simplifying installation and enabling application on natural soil unpaved roads without geocell reinforcement.