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Determination of Vehicle Frontal Area Using Image Processing
Technical Paper
2013-01-0203
ISSN: 0148-7191,
e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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Language:
English
Abstract
The projected frontal area of a vehicle has a significant impact on aerodynamic drag, and thus is an important parameter, for vehicle development, benchmarking, and modeling. However, determining vehicle frontal area can be tedious, time consuming, expensive, or inaccurate. Existing methods include analysis of engineering drawings, vehicle projections, 3D scanners, planimeter measurements from photographs, and estimations using vehicle dimensions. Currently accepted approximation methods can be somewhat unreliable.
This study focuses on introducing a method to find vehicle frontal area using digital images and subtraction functions via MATLABs' Image Processing Toolbox. In addition to an overview of the method, this paper describes several variables that were examined to optimize and improve the process such as camera position, surface glare, and vehicle shadow effects.
Authors
Citation
Brennan, D., Worm, J., and Morgan, C., "Determination of Vehicle Frontal Area Using Image Processing," SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-0203, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-0203.Also In
References
- SAE International Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice, “Road Load Measurement and Dynamometer Simulation Using Coastdown Techniques,” SAE Standard J1263, Rev. March 2010.
- Goodall, Harriet W., and Thompson Glenn D., “Prediction of Vehicle Reference Frontal Area,” EPATechnical Report, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1977.
- SAE International Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice, “Motor Vehicle Dimensions,” SAE Standard J1100, Rev. Sept. 2005.