Using the Rolling Wheel Deflectometer (RWD) to Improve Pavement Management Decisions

The Rolling Wheel Deflectometer (RWD) is an innovative device to perform network-level structural evaluation of highways. It consists of lasers mounted on a custom-designed semi-trailer that measure deflections due to the trailer’s 18-kip single axle load. Because the RWD operates at normal highway speeds, it does not interrupt highway users and increases the safety of motorists and field crews. To evaluate the potential benefit of incorporating RWD deflection data into network level pavement management, Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) performed a demonstration project using real world data from approximately 660 directional miles of highway. In addition to RWD deflections, pertinent data was gathered from the participating state highway agencies, including age, distress, and ride quality data. Comparative analyses were performed in the RoadCare Pavement Management System (PMS) software using two methods – a traditional analysis based on surface condition, and an RWD-based strategy accounting for structural response. The results show the RWD produced a cost savings of at least 5 percent by taking into account pavement structural response, depending on the scenario. This is due to the selection of the optimal maintenance or rehabilitation treatment for each road provided by the additional benefit of knowing structural response. For example, two roads with the same visual condition can have very different pavement deflections. Whereas the traditional approach recommends the same treatment for both roads, the RWD-method refines the treatment selection on whether the road has low, medium, or high deflections. The optimized treatment matrix results in higher reliability and lower costs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9789561412309
• Supplemental Notes:
  • The local host for the conference is Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile; the international host is the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council, USA.
• Corporate Authors:

  Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

  College of Engineering
  Avenida Vicuna Mackenna 4860, Macul
  Santiago,   Chile 
• Authors:
  • Hausman, John J
  • Steele, Douglas A
• Conference:
  • Eighth International Conference on Managing Pavement Assets
  • Location: Santiago , Chile
  • Date: 2011-11-15 to 2011-11-19
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: 8th International Conference on Managing Pavement Assets, November 15-19, 2011, Santiago, Chile: "Fulfilling the Social, Economic and Environmental Responsibility for Sustainable, Well Managed, Better Roads"

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Deflection tests; Maintenance management; Pavement management systems; Rehabilitation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rolling wheel deflectometers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01366554
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9789561412309
• Report/Paper Numbers: ICMPA170
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 2012 11:30AM