Conventional methods of measuring road surface characteristics that affect serviceability are slow and disrupt normal traffic flow. This report describes the use of a high-speed road monitor to measure the surface characeristics of roads, bridges and airfields at normal road traffic speeds. The equipment measures longitudinal profile, wheel-track rutting, texture depth and concrete groove dimensions; provision is being made for the measurement of road crossfall, gradient and horizontal curvature. Data is stored in digital form on floppy disc and can be processed on board the vehicle or transferred to a main frame computer for more detailed analysis. Examples of applications include the evaluation of riding quality on new and in-service roads and the monitoring of changes caused by subsidence, the detection of changes in suspension bridge shape, and movement of slabs in concrete roads. Profile data are also used for the calculation of road surface unevenness spectra and the detection of systematic surface unevenness. (Author/publisher)
Abstract