1. 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

2. May05-04 Presentation Outline Introductory materials Subproject descriptions and evaluations Time tables and cost charts Recommendations for future work Q&A Time

3. 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

4. May05-04 Acknowledgements Iowa State University –Duane Smith, CCEE IDOT –Dennis Burkheimer –Jim Dowd –Bradley Osborne

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. May05-04 Operating Environment Freezing temperatures. Heavy vibrations. Snow, sleet and rain Salt (spreader detector).

9. May05-04 Intended Uses and Users Sole User –IDOT Sole Use –IDOT Snowplows

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. May05-04 Monitor’s ® SFD-2 and SFI Flow Detectors

17. May05-04 Spreader

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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

23. May05-04 Backup Sensor Progress –Initial research on previously tested technologies. –Researched current technologies in use. Plans –Further research into possible technologies.

24. 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

25. 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

26. May05-04 Project Schedule

27. 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

28. May05-04 Project Costs

29. May05-04 Task Time Division

30. May05-04 Hours worked (Fall 04) Hours worked during Actual time first semester commitment Predicted time commitment Keli42.7569 Jason5367 Steve6270 Brian55.2568 Total213274

31. 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

32. May05-04 Questions