Measuring a reference friction potential by anti-lock braking tests

Abstract

Physical limits of a road vehicle are defined by the maximal transferrable forces between vehicle and tires. These maximal forces are called friction potential. Knowledge of this potential is important to predict stopping distance and save cornering speeds. Today’s state of the art driver assistance systems and stability control either assume a high or a low friction coefficient. They then adapt the assumed value if they reach the friction limits. Advanced driver assistance systems can be improved by the knowledge of the correct friction potential in advance. For example, a collision mitigation system could dynamically adapt its intervention distance.