A distributed computing system for determining road surface traction capacity for roadways located in a common spatio-temporal zone includes a plurality of vehicles that each include a plurality of sensors and systems that collect and analyze a plurality of parameters related to road surface conditions in the common spatio-temporal zone. The distributed computing system also includes one or more central computers in wireless communication with each of the plurality of vehicles. The one or more central computers execute instructions to determine a road surface traction capacity value for the common spatio-temporal zone.

A distributed computing system for determining road surface traction capacity for roadways located in a common spatio-temporal zone includes a plurality of vehicles that each include a plurality of sensors and systems that collect and analyze a plurality of parameters related to road surface conditions in the common spatio-temporal zone. The distributed computing system also includes one or more central computers in wireless communication with each of the plurality of vehicles. The one or more central computers execute instructions to determine a road surface traction capacity value for the common spatio-temporal zone.

A method for controlling a hydraulic brake system for a motor vehicle to carry out a braking operation by means of at least one wheel brake includes, in a first step, a pressure buildup in the wheel brake, wherein hydraulic fluid is passed to a wheel brake via a normally open inlet valve. In a second step, a pressure reduction takes place in the wheel brake, wherein hydraulic fluid is discharged from the wheel brake via an energized normally closed outlet valve. The pressure reduction at the wheel brake is accomplished by means of control of the outlet valve in a predefined manner.

A method includes obtaining creep measurements and tractive/braking measurements from at least one vehicle system at different locations along a route segment while the at least one vehicle system moves through the route segment. The method also includes calculating tribology characteristics of the route segment at the different locations. The tribology characteristics are based on the creep measurements and the tractive/braking measurements from the at least one vehicle system. The tribology characteristics are indicative of a friction coefficient of the route segment at the different locations. The method also includes determining an effectiveness of a friction modifier applied to the route segment based on the tribology characteristics.

A method includes obtaining creep measurements and tractive/braking measurements from at least one vehicle system at different locations along a route segment while the at least one vehicle system moves through the route segment. The method also includes calculating tribology characteristics of the route segment at the different locations. The tribology characteristics are based on the creep measurements and the tractive/braking measurements from the at least one vehicle system. The tribology characteristics are indicative of a friction coefficient of the route segment at the different locations. The method also includes determining an effectiveness of a friction modifier applied to the route segment based on the tribology characteristics.

An integrated control system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a friction coefficient calculation unit that calculates friction coefficients of left side and right side road surfaces, respectively, based on vehicle wheel state information and a predetermined setting information collected during ABS operation. A feedforward braking pressure calculation unit calculates a feedforward braking pressure of each vehicle wheel using the friction coefficients. An ABS braking pressure calculation unit calculates an ABS braking pressure of the each vehicle wheel based on the feedforward braking pressure and slip rate information. A rear wheel steering control amount calculation unit calculates a rear wheel steering control amount for yaw compensation using the ABS braking pressure of each vehicle wheel and a rear wheel steering controller executes a rear wheel steering control according to the rear wheel steering control amount.

An integrated control system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a friction coefficient calculation unit that calculates friction coefficients of left side and right side road surfaces, respectively, based on vehicle wheel state information and a predetermined setting information collected during ABS operation. A feedforward braking pressure calculation unit calculates a feedforward braking pressure of each vehicle wheel using the friction coefficients. An ABS braking pressure calculation unit calculates an ABS braking pressure of the each vehicle wheel based on the feedforward braking pressure and slip rate information. A rear wheel steering control amount calculation unit calculates a rear wheel steering control amount for yaw compensation using the ABS braking pressure of each vehicle wheel and a rear wheel steering controller executes a rear wheel steering control according to the rear wheel steering control amount.

An apparatus of changing deceleration of a braking curve based on a variation in a coefficient of friction may include: a coefficient-of-friction calculating unit calculating a first coefficient of friction between a brake disk and a friction material at a first point in time, and calculating a second coefficient of friction between the brake disk and the friction material at a second point in time at which a preset driving distance has elapsed from the first point in time; a determination unit determining whether there is a change in coefficient of friction between the first coefficient of friction and the second coefficient of friction; and a deceleration changing unit changing deceleration by regenerative braking or deceleration by hydraulic braking from a preset braking curve by an amount of a variation in deceleration according to the variation in coefficient of friction, when there is a variation in coefficient of friction.

An apparatus of changing deceleration of a braking curve based on a variation in a coefficient of friction may include: a coefficient-of-friction calculating unit calculating a first coefficient of friction between a brake disk and a friction material at a first point in time, and calculating a second coefficient of friction between the brake disk and the friction material at a second point in time at which a preset driving distance has elapsed from the first point in time; a determination unit determining whether there is a change in coefficient of friction between the first coefficient of friction and the second coefficient of friction; and a deceleration changing unit changing deceleration by regenerative braking or deceleration by hydraulic braking from a preset braking curve by an amount of a variation in deceleration according to the variation in coefficient of friction, when there is a variation in coefficient of friction.

A waveguide sensor system is provided. The system includes a light source and a waveguide formed from a light transmitting material. Light from the light source enters the waveguide at an input area and travels within the waveguide by total internal reflection to an analyte area and light to be analyzed travels within the waveguide from the analyte area by total internal reflection to an output area. An optical sensor is coupled to the output area and is configured to interact with the light to be analyzed. The system includes a plurality of pores located along the outer surface within the analyte area and formed in the light transmitting material of the waveguide, and the pores are configured to enhance light interaction with the analyte within the analyte area.