Browse Publications Technical Papers 2013-01-0203
2013-04-08

Determination of Vehicle Frontal Area Using Image Processing 2013-01-0203

The projected frontal area of a vehicle has a significant impact on aerodynamic drag, and thus is an important parameter, for vehicle development, benchmarking, and modeling. However, determining vehicle frontal area can be tedious, time consuming, expensive, or inaccurate. Existing methods include analysis of engineering drawings, vehicle projections, 3D scanners, planimeter measurements from photographs, and estimations using vehicle dimensions. Currently accepted approximation methods can be somewhat unreliable.
This study focuses on introducing a method to find vehicle frontal area using digital images and subtraction functions via MATLABs' Image Processing Toolbox. In addition to an overview of the method, this paper describes several variables that were examined to optimize and improve the process such as camera position, surface glare, and vehicle shadow effects.

SAE MOBILUS

Subscribers can view annotate, and download all of SAE's content. Learn More »

Access SAE MOBILUS »

Preview Document Add to Cart
Members save up to 16% off list price.
Login to see discount.
Special Offer: Download multiple Technical Papers each year? TechSelect is a cost-effective subscription option to select and download 12-100 full-text Technical Papers per year. Find more information here.
We also recommend:
TECHNICAL PAPER

Flight Simulator Visual Systems - An Overview

861708

View Details

TECHNICAL PAPER

The Use of Computer Simulation for Development of a Four-Cylinder Race Engine

2011-36-0095

View Details

TECHNICAL PAPER

Dynamic Modeling of the Stiller-Smith Mechanism in an Application of a 4-Cylinder Plunger Pump System

910073

View Details

X