Development of a Global Positioning System–Based Vehicle Tracking System for the Minnesota Road Research Facility

One of the more important tasks in operating a pavement research test track is tracking the location of individual vehicles during load response testing. The location of a vehicle's tires profoundly affects values obtained from embedded pavement load response sensors. To improve the efficiency of load response testing both in the field and during analysis, a Global Positioning System-based vehicle tracking system (VTS) was developed and tested at the Minnesota Road Research Facility (MnROAD). The VTS demonstrated its capability of tracking vehicle motion with an accuracy of ± 1 in. (2.5 cm) at speeds up to 45 mph (70 km/h). These results matched or exceeded the accuracy obtained with a high-definition video camera previously used for tracking vehicle position at MnROAD. Additional field trials were conducted in greater Minnesota to determine the operational area of the VTS. Overall, the VTS received real-time kinematic signal correction in nearly 80% of the tested areas. The capabilities of the VTS spawned the development of the wireless triggering system. Through wireless triggering of data acquisition, the load test process can be greatly simplified. Although preliminary testing confirmed it as proof of concept, hardware issues dictate that additional development is necessary.