Quality Assurance of Road Roughness Measurement

Report No: 00-R20

Published in 2000

About the report:

This report describes a study designed to establish the accuracy and repeatability of high-speed, road-profiling equipment. This effort focused on a series of roughness validation sites. The study addresses selecting the appropriate sites, determining the "true" or reference profiles for these sites, implementing high-speed testing procedures, and developing a method for processing profiles and reducing the corresponding roughness indices. The findings suggest that laser-equipped, high-speed inertial profilers, driven by skilled operators, are capable of providing exceptional levels of repeatability within an acceptable bias for a standard reference device (the Face Companies' Dipstick®). The study further offers some preliminary repeatability and accuracy goals for equipment used to conduct construction acceptance testing (for smoothness) as well as for network roughness surveys.

Documents

00-R20

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

Kevin K. McGhee, P.E.

Last updated: December 11, 2023