AN INSTRUMENTED VEHICLE FOR MEASURING AND RECORDING ROAD GEOMETRY DATA

A modular, microprocessor based, data acquisition system developed at the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) has been employed in the measurement and recording of road geometry data. The parameters obtained include grade of hills, horizontal and vertical curvature, and cross slope of the pavement. This information is required by the state road authorities for inclusion in a large data bank on the Australian road network and for other purposes, including ARRB research. Two accelerometers, a rate gyroscope and pulses generated in the vehicle differential are the inputs to the system. The microprocessor system samples and processes these signals and performs real time calculations of the required parameters at eight metre intervals at normal road speeds. The data is smoothed and edited in a manner controlled by keyboard entry and then recorded on cassette tape, and output to a small printer as required. Secondary parameters of advisory speed on curves, short term changes of altitude and direction and relative map co-ordinates can also be obtained on the printer. The paper describes the techniques employed in the instrumented vehicle. (Author/TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • From the Conference on Measurement Instrumentation and Digital Technology 1984, Melbourne, 31 October - 2 November. 2 November.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Engineers

  11 National Circuit
  Barton, A.C.T.,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Rawlinson, W R
  • Bellani, L
• Conference:
  • From the Conference on Measurement Instrumentation and Digital Technology 1984, Melbourne, 31 October - 2 November. 2 November.
• Publication Date: 1984-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 148-150

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerometers; Alignment; Altitude; Conferences; Data banks; Data collection; Electronics; Geometric elements; Highway curves; Highway design; Highway grades; Highways; Instrumented vehicles; Measurement; Measuring instruments; Methodology; Microprocessors; Recording; Slopes; Speed control; Transducers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cross-slope; Grades
• Old TRIS Terms: Advisory speed; Geometrics data
• ITRD Terms: 2894: Alignment; 6155: Apparatus (measuring); 8525: Conference; 8623: Data acquisition; 8614: Database; 6965: Electronics; 2806: Gradient; 2755: Highway; 9102: Method; 8643: Microprocessor; 6140: Transducer
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00450805
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Report/Paper Numbers: 84/10
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:56PM