RT-Range vehicle polygon creation tool (with download)

A 2D outline of a test vehicle, kerb or pedestrian dummy can be created using the RT-Range polygon tool. By creating a polygon of the object you get a more representative view of it during tests than a single measurement point would provide. Using polygon points, you can measure the closest point between objects during test work.

For advanced vehicle safety tests such as Blind Spot Detection and collision detection at junctions, RT-Range computes the distance between the 'Hunter' vehicle and various points around a target vehicle or dummy's polygon. This is illustrated below for a Park Assist scenario involving one Hunter and two Target vehicles.

The RT-Range polygon creation tool includes polygon templates for:

• Vehicles (up to 24 points)
• EPTa dummy (8 points)
• EPTc dummy (8 points)
• EBT dummy (14 points)

Fig 1: RT-Range computes distances between a Hunter vehicle, and the closest point on a target vehicle.

Create a polygon for your test vehicle and upload those measurements into RT-Range

The RT-Range software application requires users to input the specific polygon for their test vehicle. This is done either by selecting 'Use Polygon' in the Car Range measurements window of the RT-Range application and inputting measurements individually, or by uploading a file. We have created a tool using Microsoft Excel which enables you to input your polygon points more easily.

Using the Microsoft Excel polygon creation tool

1. Download the Excel workbook at the end of this article. Save this in a memorable place on your PC.
   
   
2. Use the 'Vehicle template' tab to input your vehicle polygon measurements for the Hunter vehicle. Once you are happy with the polygon measurements you have entered, click 'Export Polygon'. Repeat this for the target vehicles in your test. A copy of a text file for the data will be stored in the destination where the Excel file has been saved.
   
3. The tabs for the NCAP EBT, EPTa and EPTc dummies included the standard dimensions specified in the Euro NCAP test plans. Click 'Export Polygon on the relevant tab to export a text file for the polygon data for these targets. 
   
   
4. To upload your polygon files click 'Load' in the RT-Range 'Hunter polygon' window, then select your saved file. Repeat this process for each of your Targets.

Fig 2: Screenshot of the RT-Range vehicle polygon profile creator

Fig 3: Screenshot of RT-Range EPTa polygon creator