On-road Turbulence: Part 2 2009-01-0002

This work presents a second series of turbulence measurements made in a range of different on-road terrains and traffic conditions. Wind measurements were captured using a rake of four separate multi-hole pressure probes mounted to the front of a test vehicle traveling at a road speed of 100 km/h. Analysis of the data shows how the turbulence intensities and length scales are modified by terrain type, road side obstacles and the upstream wakes of other moving vehicles. A vertical ‘profile’ of turbulence near the ground is generated and spatial correlations between probes are examined. These on-road results are then compared to the turbulence levels generated by the Monash University wind tunnel. A new method and a series of targets are then proposed for improving the modeling of turbulence in automotive wind tunnels.