May05-04

Smart Snowplow

Client Iowa Department of Transportation

Advisors John Lamont, Ralph Patterson

Team Members Keli Meir, Steve Saltzman, Jason Smolka, Brian Witthoeft

Date: 02 – 03 – 2005

May05-04

Presentation Outline

• Introductory materials

• Subproject descriptions and evaluations

• Time tables and cost charts

• Recommendations for future work

• Q&A Time

May05-04

List of Definitions

• Analog Signal – A signal that can have a varying value

• Auger – A rotating threaded tool that moves the salt mixture out of the back of the Snowplow

• IDOT – Iowa Department of Transportation• Spreader – The chute and spinning base where

the salt mixture exits the Snowplow• Underbody Blade – A plow/blade located

underneath the body of the Snowplow• Wing Blade – A plow that is attached to the

passenger side of the Snowplow

May05-04

Acknowledgements

• Iowa State University– Duane Smith, CCEE

• IDOT– Dennis Burkheimer– Jim Dowd– Bradley Osborne

May05-04

Problem Statement

When a winter storm hits, it is the IDOT’s responsibility to keep roads cleared of snow and ice. There are many complex systems and controls used to operate a snowplow. Difficult road conditions and poor driving habits of others on the road can make safe and efficient operation of a snowplow very challenging. The IDOT would like their snowplows to be easier to operate, safer, and more efficient. Five major areas of improvement have been identified by IDOT snowplow operators and management.

May05-04

Target Areas

1) Spreader Detector

2) Blade Wear Detector

3) Blade Position and Display

4) Back Up Sensor

5) Thermal Data Collection

3

5

2

1

4

Problem Statement Ctd.

May05-04

Solution Approach

• Conduct research on identified areas.• Identify adaptable equipment from other industries.• Seek advice from outside individuals.• Weigh alternatives.• Select most practical options.• Create final report

May05-04

Operating Environment

• Freezing temperatures.• Heavy vibrations.• Snow, sleet and rain• Salt (spreader detector).

May05-04

Intended Uses and Users

• Sole User– IDOT

• Sole Use– IDOT Snowplows

May05-04

Assumptions

• The operator of each of the Smart Snowplows will receive training and continued operator education.

• The improvements being recommended for the Smart Snowplow will be used in the environment and weather of the state of Iowa.

• Operators will have a valid operator’s license. • Systems will be used for their intended purpose.

May05-04

Limitations

• The project must provide value proportional to cost in order to be implemented by the IDOT.

• Project must be completed by May 2005. • Operator training required to use recommended technology

must not exceed four hours. • Training to use thermal mapping systems and import data must

not exceed two hours. • All items must function correctly in IDOT operating

environments. • Displays and warning devices should not distract driver or

interfere with normal plow operation unnecessarily. • Any visual instrumentation must be readable in all lighting

conditions.

May05-04

Selection Criteria

• Performance– Will the solution be accurate and dependable?

• Economic benefit – Is the solution cost-effective?

• Ease of use – Will the solution require extensive training to

install or operate?

• Maintenance Requirements – What routine maintenance is required?

May05-04

Spreader Detector• Purpose

– To detect when the salt spreader is clogged

• Objectives– Flow detection system must detect flow of salt

crystals through the auger– System must identify flow to plow operator

• Obstacles– Mounting the flow detection system is difficult– If salt builds up right in front of the detector, it

may produce a false alarm

May05-04

Spreader Detector

• Progress– Monitor’s ® Microwave Solids Flow Detectors– Senses light and heavy materials, small and

large particles– Non-Contact sensor detects flow through most

non-metallic surfaces– Non-intrusive flush mounting

• There is no probe protruding into material flow

– Solids flow indicator provides variable analog signal

May05-04

Spreader Detector

• Plans– Determine cost effectiveness of purchasing

such equipment– Determine how to mount equipment onto truck– Present findings to Iowa Department of

Transportation for evaluation

May05-04

Monitor’s ® SFD-2 and SFI Flow Detectors

May05-04

Spreader

May05-04

Blade Wear Detection

• Purpose – Fully utilize replaceable blade edges– Prevent damage to snowplow moldboards

• Objectives– Wear detection system which operates in real-time– Quantify blade wear in at least four increments

• Obstacles– Carbide insert only 5/8” – little room for error– Must be adaptable to all blades on plow– Environment – shock and vibration, cold/icy

May05-04

Blade Wear Detection

• Progress– Determined eddy current would be ineffective– Visible indicator on blade edge not real time– Considered semiconductor embedded in carbide– Adaptation of disc break wear sensor technology– Plans– Build prototype to test effectiveness of disposable wear

sensor design. Continue to search for other feasible technologies.

May05-04

Blade Position & Display• Purpose

– Increase awareness of positioning of wing and underbody blade.

– Remove risk of damage to blades, snowplow, and environment.

• Objectives– Create a detection and warning system for the driver.– Display necessary information to the driver.

• Obstacles– Display should be easily visible but not distracting.– Display should be visible in all lighting conditions.– Multiple different types of wing and underbody blades

May05-04

Blade Position & Display• Progress

– Clarified expectations from IDOT– Researched technologies in other industries

• Plans– Conduct thorough research on linear. hydraulics of

snowplows.– Propose options for implementation.– Conduct economic analysis of each option.– Provide recommendation for final report.

May05-04

Backup Sensor

• Purpose– Reduce the number of collisions with

snowplows backing into cars

• Objective– Create a sensor to allow drivers to avoid cars

that pull in behind them

• Obstacles– Operation on the back of a snowplow

May05-04

Backup Sensor

• Progress– Initial research on previously tested

technologies.– Researched current technologies in use.

• Plans– Further research into possible technologies.

May05-04

Thermal Data Collection

• Purpose– Determine effects of snow fences on road surface temperature– Identify low temperature areas on roadway which pose risk of

icing

• Objectives– Provide fast easy way to determine differences in surface

temperature over a stretch of roadway– Interface with existing infrared temperature sensor

• Obstacles– Metering distance without being vehicle-dependent

May05-04

Thermal Data Collection• Progress

– Obtained a sensor and serial interface cable for testing

– Started writing program to pull temperature data from serial port and graph it

– Identified wheel rotation sensor and GPS as potential ways to determine distance

• Plans– Complete a basic acquisition and graphing

program once other project objectives are met

May05-04

Project ScheduleID Task Name

1 1. Problem Definition

2 1a. Problem def inition completion

3 1b. Constraint and end user/use identif ication

4 1c. Examine host vehicle

5

6 2. Technology Research and Cost Analysis

7 2a. Research possible technologies

8 2b. Identif y practical alternatives for each problem

9 2c. Meet with DOT to discuss selection criteria

10 2d. Cost evaluation

11

12 3. Creation of Final Report

13 3a. Decision of f inal recommendations

14 3b. Report write-up

15

16 4. Recommendation Presentation

17 4a. Presentation planning

18 4b. Faculty adv isors/client presentation

19 4c. Industrial rev iew panel presentation

20

21 5. Project Reporting

22 5a. Project plan completion

23 5b. Project poster

24 5c. Design report development

25 5d. Project f inal report development

26 5e. Weekly E-mails

61 5f . Group Meetings

29 9 20 1 12 23 3 14 25 6 17 28 8 19 30 10 21 4 15 26 6 17 28 9Aug 15, '04 Sep 12, '04 Oct 10, '04 Nov 7, '04 Dec 5, '04 Jan 2, '05 Jan 30, '05 Feb 27, '05 Mar 27, '05 Apr 24, '05

May05-04

Schedule

• Project has went thorough several iterations• Initial project definition was too broad• Client was expecting different team makeup• Project redefinition early in project caused major delays• Team is nearly back on track with schedule

May05-04

Project CostsProject Cost With Labor

$66.00

$20.00

$1,533.00

$1,743.00

$1,522.50

$1,449.00

Poster

Report Bindings

Keli Meier

Jason Smolka

Steve Saltzman

Brian Witthoeft

May05-04

Task Time Division

Time By Task (In Hours)

100

154

138

68

135

Project Definition

Technology Research and CostAnalysis

Creation of Final Report

Recommendation Presentation

Project Reporting

May05-04

Hours worked (Fall 04)

Hours worked during Actual time first semester commitment

Predicted timecommitment

Keli 42.75 69

Jason 53 67

Steve 62 70

Brian 55.25 68

Total 213 274

May05-04

Recommendations For Future Work

• Implementation and testing– Obtain equipment from Monitor ® for testing and

evaluation– Actual purchasing and mounting of units for operation– Software for thermal data collection

• Improved mechanical work on plow blades• Third party warning system

– “This vehicle is only driving 35mph”• Audible alerts• Electronic control of hydraulics

– Obstacle avoidance system– Preset positioning

May05-04

Questions