General Motors Water Depth Measuring System

A water depth measuring system has been developed to allow routine and efficient determination of water depths on road surfaces used for tire traction testing.

The system consists of a multi-probe transducer unit (which attaches to the front bumper of most standard automobiles) and an in-car electronics package with direct digital and analog readout capabilities. Water depth measurements are taken at one foot (305 mm) intervals at vehicle speeds from two to five miles per hour (3.2 to 8.0 km/hr). Either individual or accumulated average water depths can be digitally displayed to the driver/operator.

A system of this type will be useful to tire traction test groups by 1) allowing individual test water depths to be measured and adjusted to a desired level prior to traction testing, 2) documenting the effects of independent variables (wind speed, direction, water pressure, etc.) on test surface water depth, and/or 3) allowing limited adjustments in test data based on actual test water depths and known water depth sensitivities.