A previous article described the initial set-up of an international PIARC experiment to harmonise longitudinal and transverse profile measurement procedures during the period 1995-99, and invited interested parties to participate. The present article describes the actual experiments, which were carried out in the USA, Japan, the Netherlands and Germany during 1998. Reference measurements were conducted in each country, using the same devices and operators. The devices used to link the experiments were the static dipstick, the rolling dipstick, and the ARRB (American Road Research Board) walking profiler. Each device records the pavement profile by means of an inclinometer, and is operated at walking speed. In addition, local reference measurements were made in the European experiment, using cross-profiling equipment and the PRIMAL profile-measuring device. The test sections had IRI values ranging from 1.0m/km to approximately 8m/km. Each of the participating devices made measurements at constant speeds of 30kph, 60kph, and 90kph. In the USA, they were tested from stop to 90kph to stop. In Japan, they were tested from their minimum speed to 90kph and back. In Europe, they were tested from 50kph to 75kph to 50kph, and also at slower speeds. PIARC expects a database of the recorded data to be compiled.
Abstract