Rumble strip following for automated vehicle steering

A controller-circuit for a rumble-strip following system for automated vehicle steering, said controller-circuit comprising:

• an input configured to receive a vibration-signal from a vibration-detector of a host-vehicle configured to detect vibration experienced by the host-vehicle traveling a roadway;
• an output configured to provide a control-signal for a steering-device configured to steer the host-vehicle;
• and
• a processor in communication with the vibration-detector and the steering-device, said processor configured to determine that the vibration is indicative of a tire of the host-vehicle contacting a rumble-strip arranged parallel to a heading of the roadway, and operate the steering-device so the tire follows the rumble-strip, wherein the processor is configured to determine a vibration-amplitude of the vibration and operate the steering-device to maximize the vibration-amplitude.

A method of operating automated vehicle steering to follow a rumble-strip, said method comprising:

• receiving a vibration-signal from a vibration-detector configured to detect vibration experienced by a host-vehicle traveling a roadway;
• determining by a controller-circuit that the vibration is indicative of a tire of the host-vehicle contacting a rumble-strip arranged parallel to a heading of the roadway;
• determining a vibration-amplitude of the vibration;
• and
• steering the host-vehicle to maximize the vibration amplitude, such that the tire follows the rumble strip.