automotive radar technology for detecting road conditions. Backscattering properties of dry, wet, and icy asphalt

This paper proposes that automotive radar technology could be used to detect low friction spots due to water or ice on asphalt. The backscattering properties of dry, wet and icy asphalt are experimentally studied in laboratory conditions at two automotive radar bands at 24 GHz and at 77 GHz. Both water and ice are found to change the backscattering properties of asphalt. The experimental results suggest that water could be detected using dual-polarised 24 GHz radar. Both water and ice could be detected using dual-polarised 24 GHz radar and 77 GHz radar.