Connected Motorcycle System Performance

Final Report

Abstract

This project characterized the performance of Connected Vehicle Systems (CVS) on motorcycles based on two key components: global positioning and wireless communication systems. Considering that Global Positioning System (GPS) and 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) may be affected by motorcycle rider occlusion, antenna mounting configurations were investigated. In order to assess the performance of these systems, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s (VTTI) Data Acquisition System (DAS) was utilized to record key GPS and DSRC variables from the vehicle’s CVS Vehicle Awareness Device (VAD). In this project, a total of four vehicles were used where one motorcycle had a forward mounted antenna, another motorcycle had a rear mounted antenna, and two automobiles had center-mounted antennas. These instrumented vehicles were then subject to several static and dynamic test scenarios on closed test track and public roadways to characterize performance against each other. Further, these test scenarios took into account motorcycle rider occlusion, relative ranges, and diverse topographical roadway environments.
From the results, both rider occlusion and approach ranges were shown to have an impact on communications performance. In situations where the antenna on the motorcycle had direct line-of-sight with another vehicle’s antenna, a noticeable increase in performance can be seen in comparison to situations where the line of sight is occluded. Further, the forward-mounted antenna configuration provided a wider span of communication ranges in open-sky. In comparison, the rear-mounted antenna configuration experienced a narrower communication range. In terms of position performance, environments where objects occluded the sky, such as deep urban and mountain regions, relatively degraded performance when compared to open sky environments were observed.

Highlights

• Across the various tests, it was quite apparent that rider occlusion and ranges impacts communication performance. In situations where the motorcycle has direct line of sight with the vehicle, a noticeable increase in performance is seen.
• For the dynamic range tests, it was observed that the forward mounted antenna had an overall wider communication range of -300m to +300m in the open sky environment. For the rear mounted antenna, a -300m to +100m in the open sky environment.
• Having a wider overall communication range allows for effective detection of motorcycles in crash avoidance applications. Depending on the specific crash avoidance application, however, such distances may mean more or less in different configurations. For example, if a vehicle and a motorcycle are approaching each other head on, having a longer communication range in the ahead direction proves more valuable.
  

  Publications

  Viray, R., Doerzaph, Z. The Role of Technology in Motorcycle and Moped Safety. Published within the proceedings of the Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting (103B Lectern Session | Practice Ready Papers Safety and Human Factors Motorcycle Related Details of the US DOT Affiliated, Virginia Connected Vehicle Test Bed for Researching Vehicles, Technology, Humans, and Infrastructure Interactions). January 13, 2015.

  Presentations

  Viray, R., Doerzaph, Z. The Role of Technology in Motorcycle and Moped Safety. Presented at the Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting (103B Lectern Session | Practice Ready Papers Safety and Human Factors Motorcycle Related Details of the US DOT Affiliated, Virginia Connected Vehicle Test Bed for Researching Vehicles, Technology, Humans, and Infrastructure Interactions). January 13, 2015.

Awards

Reginald Viray – CVI-UTC Student of the Year 2014 (recognized at the 2015 Annual Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) Annual Meeting Awards Banquet)

Sponsor Organization

Research and Innovative Technology Administration
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
USA

UTC Grant Manager

Harwood, Leslie
Phone: 540-231-9530
Email: lharwood@vtti.vt.edu

Performing Organization

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
3500 Transportation Research Plaza
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
USA

Research Investigators

Doerzaph, Zac
McLaughlin, Shane
Viray, Reginald

More Information

RiP URL
Project Poster
TriD Format