Dynamic modeling and simulation of snow removal operation in an intelligent transportation system environment

This work develops a dynamic model of snow removal operation in lane-keeping or lateral control. Such a model is useful in simulation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) such as an automated or driver assisted snowplowing operation. The model developed is an interaction of three models: a Vehicle Model, a Snowplowing Resistance Model, and a Driver Model. In terms of the vehicle model, the effect of chains on tires in the form of time-varying equations is integrated. In terms of the snowplowing resistance model, a new model is developed for steady-state plowing operations. In terms of the driver model, this work develops a stochastic form of a human driver model which can be used for simulating vehicle guidance and control. It is shown, how simulation using existing (non-stochastic, no disturbance) human models can assist in the design of a Roadview(TM)1 display system for snow removal operations. In addition, a new method for simulating the lateral control system of snowplowing vehicle is developed in this work. The overall aim of this work is to develop a theoretical framework for simulation environment that can be used in design and evaluation of driver assistance systems for snow removal operations in an Intelligent Transportation System environment.; 1Roadview is a trademark of the Advanced Highway Maintenance and Construction Technology (AHMCT) Research Center at UC Davis.