Harmonising automated rut depth measurements: stage 2

A computer simulation study carried out between July 2002 and June 2004 investigated harmonising rut depth measurements from different profilometers. Software was written which allowed for a standard reference transverse profile to be analysed by different sensor numbers and spacings. This was used to investigate the effect of the number of sensors on predicted rut depth. Accuracy of rut depth was proportional to the number of sensors. This sampling effect results in underestimation of 2-4 millimetres for the profilometers used in New Zealand. Some configurations appear to have inadequate coverage towards the kerb, so may miss important data if the first sensor measures outside the pavement area. Variation in rut depth which arises from lateral placement can be greater than the change caused by pavement deterioration, which may explain problems found when trying to use profilometer rut depth data for monitoring pavement deterioration trends. Rearrangement of sensors in profilometers could significantly increase accuracy. The error in measurements tends to overestimate rut depths. Measurement error is dependent on the number of sensors used to measure rather than the extent of rut depth. The error caused by progressive sampling of the ultrasonic sensors is systematic and positive, and increases with the speed of the profilometer.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/277/
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0478253885
• Corporate Authors:

  Land Transport New Zealand

  Wellington,    
• Authors:
  • Malella, R
  • Wang, H
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 58p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 277

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Calibration; Deterioration; Errors; Measuring instruments; Pavement performance; Profilometers; Rutting; Sensors; Statistical sampling; Superelevation; Surface course (Pavements)
• Geographic Terms: New Zealand
• ATRI Terms: Accuracy; Calibration; Deterioration; Error; Measuring equipment; Pavement performance; Profilometer; Road surface properties; Rutting; Sampling; Sensor; Transverse profile
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01387743
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0478253885
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 12:22AM