Road Surface Characterization Using a 77-81 GHz Polarimetric Radar

Journal article, 2024

Various road surfaces are studied through monostatic polarimetric-radar measurements at 77-81 GHz in real traffic conditions. Dry asphalt of different roughness is compared to wet asphalt and gravel in terms of their entropy and the balance between surface, volume and double bounce scattering. It is shown that asphalt surfaces of different roughness are distinguishable. Wet surface is clearly detectable through its reduced entropy, a result of enhanced surface scattering. Measurements of pavement and gravel surfaces are also presented and compared to asphalt. The ultimate goal of this study is to relate friction to the polarimetric parameters measured in real time while the vehicle is in motion. Ice and snow covered road surfaces are of particular interest, but are not covered in this paper.