PAVEMENT CONDITION SURVEYS
Advanced Pavement Condition Surveys for Superior Roadway Management
When it comes to measuring the condition of your most expensive assets, does it really make sense to use the cheapest technologies? You want to stand behind the condition data you report to stakeholders and the treatment recommendations you make.
Our commitment to superior pavement condition analysis is demonstrated through our advanced field operations and cutting-edge technology. We specialize in delivering reliable pavement condition assessments that empower municipalities and transportation departments in the USA, Canada, and worldwide to maintain and enhance their roadway infrastructure.
State-of-the-Art Data Collection
Our field crews are equipped with the latest in pavement imaging technology, the IrisPRO Pave data collection vehicle, featuring the second-generation Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS-2) from Pavemetrics. The LCMS-2 represents the pinnacle of 3D pavement scanning technology, boasting the ability to collect pavement images with a 1mm x 1mm resolution, at speeds up to 65MPH With these capabilities, the IrisPRO Pave and LCMS-2 will allow you to meet the requirements set forth in ASTM E950, ASTM E3303, and ASTM D6433, ensuring comprehensive and accurate data collection. The LCMS-2 system integrates advanced laser and camera technologies to create a detailed 3D profile of the pavement surface. These profiles are essential for identifying and quantifying surface distresses, enabling transportation agencies to make informed maintenance and repair decisions. By capturing high-resolution images and data points at highway speeds, we eliminate the need for lane closures and traffic disruptions, providing a safer and more efficient data collection process.
In addition to being equipped with the LCMS-2, the IrisPRO Pave utilizes a Teledyne FLIR Ladybug 5+ camera for 360-degree imagery, an ASTM Class 1 inertial profiler (continuous right and left wheel path roughness measurements), high accuracy inertial navigation system (INS) with DGPS with sub-meter accuracy and integrated IMU.
Comprehensive Pavement Analysis
Every inch of pavement is scrutinized for distresses such as alligator cracking, longitudinal and transverse cracking, rutting, raveling, and more, with each type of distress cataloged by its extent and severity. Our meticulous segment-by-segment analysis ensures that no detail is overlooked. In tandem with pavement distress data, our crews also capture right-of-way (ROW) imagery, providing a holistic view of the roadway environment. This dual-focus approach enhances the depth and utility of the data collected.
In addition to distress identification, our analysis includes measuring pavement roughness and rutting. Roughness, often quantified as the International Roughness Index (IRI), affects ride quality and vehicle wear. Rutting, which refers to depressions in the wheel paths, can lead to water accumulation and increased accident risk. Our detailed measurements of these parameters help transportation agencies prioritize their maintenance efforts.
Rapid and Rigorous Data Processing
Our surveys progress at an impressive rate of 30 to 50 miles per day, thanks to our IrisPRO Pave equipped with our Drive™ data collection software.
Once data collection is complete, we process this wealth of information using our proprietary Connect™ data processing software, where the classification and rating of pavement distresses takes place for each project, according to industry standards. We apply advanced algorithms to detect and quantify pavement distresses. These algorithms have been refined through years of research and field testing, ensuring they provide reliable results under various conditions. Each distress type is assessed for its impact on pavement performance and longevity.
By understanding the severity and extent of each distress, we can provide targeted recommendations for maintenance and repair. This suite of advanced analytical tools and rigorous QC/QA checks ensures that the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) values we generate are not only accurate but also repeatable.
The Connect™ platform seamlessly formats our processed data to any format required, allowing our data to be used with any existing pavement management systems, providing easy access to detailed reports and actionable insights. When requested, we generate comprehensive reports that summarize the pavement condition, including detailed maps and graphs that highlight areas of concern.
Delivering Actionable Insights
The end result is a comprehensive suite of data, including PCI ratings and detailed reports on inventory, distress, rutting, and roughness, all delivered in both spreadsheet and GIS formats. This data is immediately actionable, ready for integration into pavement management systems for further analysis and planning.
Our detailed reports provide a clear picture of the current pavement condition, enabling transportation agencies to make informed decisions about maintenance and rehabilitation. By identifying not only areas with severe distresses or poor performance, but also pavements with “fair” condition scores that are candidates for preservation treatments, agencies can prioritize their efforts and allocate resources more effectively. We often describe this as the method for keeping “good” roads “good”. This proactive approach helps extend the lifespan of pavement assets and improve overall roadway safety. Our services projects by default are delivered with all collected imagery (downward facing LCMS-2 data with distress ratings and ROW Ladybug images) to our web hosted viewing software, Inform. Our clients have experienced such usable value and insights from our viewing software that we include as a free trial for all clients.
Key Features of Our Pavement Condition Surveys
- Precision Data Collection: Utilizing the IrisPRO Pave vehicle and LCMS-2, we gather high-resolution 3D scans of pavement conditions at speeds up to 65 mph, ensuring minimal disruption to traffic flow and maximum efficiency. Our system captures every detail of the pavement surface, from small cracks to large deformations, providing a comprehensive assessment of pavement health.
- Comprehensive Analysis: Our system identifies all major pavement distresses, including alligator cracking, longitudinal and transverse cracking, roughness, rutting, and raveling. Each distress type is meticulously documented by extent and severity for a thorough understanding of pavement health. This detailed analysis enables targeted maintenance and repair strategies that address the root causes of pavement deterioration.
- Holistic Approach: Alongside pavement distress data, we capture ROW imagery to provide a full picture of the roadway environment, enhancing the utility of our data for planning and maintenance. This dual-focus approach ensures that all factors affecting pavement performance are considered, from surface distresses to environmental conditions.
- Structural Analysis: Alongside functional condition data, we can measure the structural condition of your pavements using our FastFWD (Falling Weight Deflectometer). Avoid costly maintenance mistakes like applying a mill and overlay to a structurally-deficient road by collecting structural data on your pavements before you finalize maintenance plans.
- High-Speed Processing: With our advanced data processing tools, we can handle large volumes of data quickly and accurately. Our Connect™ platform ensures that all PCI values and distress assessments are reliable and ready for integration into your management systems. This high-speed processing capability allows us to deliver timely results, enabling prompt action on critical maintenance needs.
Benefits of Choosing ICC-IMS
- Unmatched Accuracy: Our use of the LCMS-2 ensures that even the smallest cracks and deviations in pavement are detected and recorded with sub-millimeter precision. This high level of accuracy is essential for identifying early signs of pavement distress and preventing further deterioration.
- Efficient Operations: Covering 30 to 50 miles per day, our surveys are both fast and thorough, minimizing downtime and maximizing the amount of data collected. This efficiency reduces the impact on traffic and ensures that critical pavement assessments are completed quickly.
- Advanced Reporting: We deliver comprehensive reports that include detailed inventory, distress, rutting, and roughness data, all formatted for easy integration into your pavement management systems. Our reports are designed to be user-friendly, with clear visualizations and actionable recommendations.
- Expert Support: Our experienced team provides support throughout the entire process, from data collection to analysis and reporting, ensuring you get the most out of your pavement condition surveys. We offer training and consultation services to help you interpret the data and implement effective maintenance strategies.
Industry Standards and Compliance
Our pavement condition surveys adhere to the highest industry standards, ensuring reliable and consistent results. We comply with virtually any pavement condition standard, including the most common in North America, ASTM E3303 and D6433 for pavement distress identification and classification, and our roughness measurements follow the guidelines of the International Roughness Index (IRI). By adhering to these standards, we ensure that our data is comparable with other industry assessments and can be used confidently in pavement management decisions.
Applications and Use Cases
Our pavement condition surveys are suitable for a wide range of applications, including:
- Municipal Road Networks: Assess the condition of city streets and prioritize maintenance to improve safety and ride quality for residents.
- State and Provincial Highways: Evaluate the performance of major roadways and plan rehabilitation projects to extend pavement life.
- Airport Runways and Taxiways: Ensure the safety and reliability of critical airport infrastructure by identifying and addressing pavement distresses.