Determination of Allowable Rutting Depth Based on Driving Safety Analysis

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of different rutting depths on driving safety as well as determine the allowable rutting depth, an evaluation model is established based on a simulation program of the vehicle–road interactions. Firstly, a vehicle–road coupling model consisting of a general vehicle assembly model and a pavement model with different rutting depths was prepared through the vehicle dynamics method. The vehicle steering angle was selected as the simulation output, by analysis of which it can be found that the rutting depth has a great influence on vehicles without front-wheel steering suspension and steering assist systems. Then, the vehicle model was improved, and an advanced numerical simulation was conducted as a comparison. Lastly, the evaluation model of different rutting depths was established based on steering wheel difference angle value by the Delphi method. In addition, the determination method of allowable rutting depth was given through an example, which provides a quantitative method to evaluate the influence of different rutting depths.