QUANTIFYING SEAL COAT SURFACE CONDITION USING DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING BASED ON INFORMATION THEORY

The objective of this paper is to present a promising technology for quantifying the surface condition of seal coated pavements and thus, assisting pavement maintenance engineers in prioritizing pavement preservation projects on a basis of measured condition rather than qualitative ratings. It details a computer analysis of over 100 Texas seal coat projects using digital imaging techniques based on information theory which permits the derivation of an objective measurement of a digital image's information content utilizing the two-dimensional Fourier transform. The information content is governed by the pavement's surface texture. This metric allows seal coat surface conditions to be quantitatively rated and for satisfactory and unsatisfactory surface textures to be differentiated. Presently, a qualitative rating system is used to program and budget seal coat maintenance projects. The paper concludes that this system provides an improved surface condition evaluation, thus, permitting a more efficient distribution of limited maintenance and construction budgets.

Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/44544515
Corporate Authors:
Taylor & Francis

4 Park Square, Milton Park
Abingdon, United Kingdom OX14 4RN
Authors:
- Gransberg, D D
- Karaca, I
- Burkett, W R
Publication Date: 2002-12

Language

English

Media Info

Features: Figures; References;
Pagination: p. 197-205
Serial:
- International Journal of Pavement Engineering
- Volume: 3
- Issue Number: 4
- Publisher: Taylor & Francis
- ISSN: 1029-8436
- Serial URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/10298436.html

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Chip seals; Imagery; Information theory; Pavement maintenance; Pavement surface course; Seal coats
Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00942059
Record Type: Publication
Files: TRIS, ATRI
Created Date: May 8 2003 12:00AM