A team from Northeastern University has a very interesting van used for quantitatively assessing pavement condition using a variety of sensors. They use cameras, laser profilers, accelerometers on axles, pressure sensors in the tires, microphones, and even ground penetrating radar. The researchers reportedly characterized pavement condition of 150 miles of road in 4 days in Beverly, Massachussets, a task that took public employees about 1 year the last time it was performed, in 2010. The cost of the survey was around $25,000. The technology is expected to be commercialized this month. [Source: The Boston Globe. Image: Boston Globe]
Related Articles
Using the Existing Pavement In-Place and Achieving Long Life
TRB’s second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Renewal Project R23 has released a prepublication, non-edited version of a report titled Using the Existing Pavement In-Place and Achieving Long Life that describes a procedure for […]
Guide for Conducting Forensic Investigations of Highway Pavements
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 747: Guide for Conducting Forensic Investigations of Highway Pavements explores a process for conducting forensic investigations of pavements that is designed to help understand the reasons behind premature […]
Columbus Era Aztec Emperor’s Tomb Found with GPR
Archaeologists beleive that they may have found the tomb of Aztec emperor Ahuizotl (ah-WEE-zoh-tuhl). Using ground-penetrating radar, they have detected underground chambers that could contain the remains of Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztecs when Columbus landed in the New World.
This find would not have been possible were it not for strong earthquake in 1985 that severely damaged a Colonial Spanish building. Buildings of this type were built a top the Aztec ruins and are considered too valuable to remove for excavations. Apparently, before this find, no Aztec emperor’s tomb had ever been found at this location despite writings describing an Aztec ceremonial center because Spanish conquerors constructed over the site. Read on for the full story link. (Photo by Grabthar)