Developing a Monitoring System for the Dispensing Rate of Glass Traffic LineBeads. Final Report on Phase 1 and Phase 2

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of measuring thedispensing rate of glass beads accurately while the paint stripe is being applied. Laboratory and field tests proved the principles of the optical sensor design and the repeatability of the sensor. Problems to be solved included non-uniform flow of beads at tank outlet, need for adequate computer power to provide real time flow readings, evaluation of possible causes of non-uniform flow of beads, and alternative sensor locations. The objectives of one part of the study were to install and test the bead flow sensors, to improve accuracy of the sensors, to evaluate performance through replicated field testing and to provide final designs for the optical sensor and accompanying data processing and display system. A DSP-Based System was selected and modified to provide high speed processing of data from the optical sensors resulting in accurate 'real time' display of the glass bead flow rate at the discharge nuzzle.