Ice Safety for Vehicles

Introduction and Problem Definition

The problem statement highlights the need for a small-scale device that can accurately determine the strength of an ice surface over a body of water to prevent loss of life and property. Current techniques for measuring ice thickness are either labor-intensive and slow or excessively expensive. The device should monitor ice safety in real time and provide a warning signal to the user when conditions become hazardous. The introduction also sets the standard for the final solution, which should be in line with consumer needs and socio-ethical and economic considerations. Background research is required to investigate physical design parameters, specifications, and cost estimates, and the specific needs of stakeholders must be evaluated and implemented into the design. The result of the research will be used to generate a set of project constraints and design evaluation metrics, which will be employed in the final design.

Background Research

The background research in this paper focuses on techniques for measuring ice thickness and strength, including destructive and non-destructive methods.

One of the destructive techniques discussed is laser penetration, which involves using a CO2 laser to melt ice and measuring the depth of energy deposition. The laser intensity, ice density, and temperature can affect the speed at which the laser melts the ice surface. Laser technology can also be used to measure reflection depth, similar to sonar and radar applications.

Non-destructive methods for measuring ice thickness include using sonar and radar from below or above the surface, as well as from aircraft or orbiting satellites. These methods involve sending a pulse through the ice surface and measuring the return signal, which can determine the depth of reflection. The accuracy of these measurements depends on the scale and quality of the measurement device and the environment in which the measurement is conducted.

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology is another method discussed, which involves sending a radar pulse through the ice surface to measure thickness. GPR devices range in price, with some available for cost-effective homemade versions, while others cost up to $14,000 USD for state-of-the-art industry.

Sonar and ultrasound techniques can also be used to measure ice thickness and can operate at lower frequencies than GPR. These methods rely on the difference of acoustic impedance between water and ice and can measure depths up to 1 m, with a measurement error of up to ±0.05 m for sophisticated systems. However, these methods can struggle with slush, a major problem for almost all non-destructive techniques.

Using meteorological and satellite data, it is possible to make estimations of thickness and freezing/melting patterns. Machine learning and computer vision models have been created to predict ice conditions and freezing/melting patterns in very large bodies of water. Combining GPS data with these techniques can also be useful for accurately mapping ice thickness and behavior over time.

Overall, this background research provides useful insights into existing methods for measuring ice thickness and strength, as well as their advantages and limitations. These insights can be used to inform the development of a solution to the problem of accurately monitoring and predicting ice behavior.

Stakeholders, Scope, and Design Metrics

Stakeholder needs were evaluated using a survey administered to potential customers and independent research. The survey results, combined with relevant engineering design factors, were used to develop a House of Quality (QFD) template, which helped to determine the most important engineering aspects of the product. The survey and QFD template provided insights into user priorities, what they were willing to pay, and how strongly they desired the product. The consumer is the foremost priority for the product, and the primary criteria for user satisfaction are reliability, simplicity, and accuracy. The regulatory bodies and indigenous groups are the other two stakeholders of interest, and their respective needs and concerns have been analyzed to optimize the product design. The project scope is limited to designing a device to measure the thickness of ice for consumers and small businesses crossing frozen water bodies. The constraints include adhering to provincial regulations and environmental regulations, as well as being conscientious of indigenous land rights and supporting a precedent of safety and sustainability.

Preliminary Design

The section describes the preliminary design solutions for ice surveying and modeling. Two broad fields were targeted for more scrutiny: intrusive and nonintrusive methods. A variety of ideation techniques were used, including the sticky note method and SCAMPER, leading to two final design solutions: using piezoelectric transducers and pre-emptive modeling via an underwater drone/sensor apparatus. The section also includes a brief description of each design and an estimated cost for the piezoelectric transducer design. Multiple criteria were used to classify the benefits and drawbacks of each design solution, and a scoring rubric was created to evaluate all designs.

The remainder of this report has been lost.

I am working to retrieve a copy from my professor in order to complete this project page.