Skip to main content

Fast road checking

A sophisticated package for evaluating road condition is now available called e-Spott, from Pipe Hawk. This system is said to be a fast and reliable method of measuring the total bound layer thickness of asphalt laid in a highway reinstatement.
February 7, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSA sophisticated package for evaluating road condition is now available called e-Spott, from 5770 Pipe Hawk. This system is said to be a fast and reliable method of measuring the total bound layer thickness of asphalt laid in a highway reinstatement. It uses proven ground probing radar (GPR) technology that is used in a different format in utility detection and mapping works or in geophysical investigations. But unlike conventional coring methods e-Spott minimises disruption to road traffic as well as eliminating immediate damage to newly laid surfaces.

The tests are non-intrusive and can be carried out in just seconds whether they are between parked vehicles, around other obstacles or in gaps in the traffic flow. Tests are undertaken on a one-man, single button push basis, without damage to the road surface.

The most recent version has been upgraded with the addition of facilities to use an on-board memory card and in-built GPS positioning system which pinpoints the reading location. All data is stored immediately to file for easy transfer and client access after the survey.

The system is a complementary technology that can improve the effectiveness of traditional coring programmes. Survey data of large re-instatements can pinpoint potential hot-spots where layer thickness may fall short of standard. This allows core sampling to be targeted to where it is likely to be most effective in ensuring that the works meet required standards.

On the smaller scale, the system can survey individual repairs and highlight those that may be substandard with a single quick and inexpensive test. The system allows both the client and the contractor to ensure that the works are up to the required standard before they are handed over.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Cost-saving benefits of dual layer asphalt paving
    February 14, 2012
    Sophisticated dual layer paving technologies currently on the market are said to offer major advantages to road builders. Roads built using twin layer, hot on hot paving techniques can last considerably longer than those constructed using conventional methods. Contractors and clients also stand to gain from savings on materials costs, through the elimination of the need for emulsion spraying between binder and wearing courses and with the use of thin layer wearing course designs. At present two paver man
  • Smarter compaction equipment from key manufacturers
    June 23, 2015
    Intelligent compaction technologies continue to advance in sophistication - Mike Woof writes Ever more sophisticated intelligent compaction technologies are being offered to customers, which can boost working efficiency and help improve construction quality. This is particularly the case for the compaction of asphalt running surfaces. Asphalt cooling leaves only a short time window during which a paved mat can be properly compacted, so intelligent compaction systems offer major gains for contractors and cli
  • Airport's high demands on asphalt and concrete techniques
    July 11, 2012
    Airport runway, taxiway and parking areas make high demands on paving requirements, both with concrete and asphalt techniques. Mike Woof reports. High quality surface finishes are required in airport environments for runways, taxiways and aircraft parking areas. Because of the speed at which aircraft take off and land and the massive forces exerted due to the weight of the aircraft, particularly during landing, runway structures need to be incredibly strong. The surfaces also have to be constructed to very
  • Recycling advances from Wirtgen
    June 18, 2012
    German firm Wirtgen is retaining its lead in road recycling technologies – Mike Woof writes Tests on cold recycling with a new layer thickness using Wirtgen's sophisticated WR 4200 machine have shown impressive results according to the firm. The road construction and traffic authority Landesbetrieb Mobilität (LBM) Cochem-Koblenz commissioned a pilot project as part of its plan to optimise the cold in-place recycling process (CIR). The aim was to examine the extent to which the layer thickness can be reduced