Skip to main content

Scanning geotextiles in-situ to monitor condition

A new solution from Schreiner Services allows RFID transponders integrated into Provlies geotextile products to be scanned and identified. The novel geotextile material can be used to repair into cracked roads, where it delays future damage due to its elasticity. Every 100m an RFID transponder records data relating to traffic count or road condition. Schreiner Services has developed a mobile solution for the Provlies geotextile that enables the readout of the recorded data at speeds of up to 60km/h.
April 1, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new solution from Schreiner Services allows RFID transponders integrated into Provlies geotextile products to be scanned and identified. The novel geotextile material can be used to repair into cracked roads, where it delays future damage due to its elasticity.

Every 100m an RFID transponder records data relating to traffic count or road condition. Schreiner Services has developed a mobile solution for the Provlies geotextile that enables the readout of the recorded data at speeds of up to 60km/h.

The RFID tags integrated into the nonwoven geotextiles of Provlies are linked with applications such as digital atlases, automatic traffic count, construction journals, sewer network maps and weather information. In addition, modules for condition assessment, construction or construction supervision can be integrated.

Schreiner has also developed a mobile solution for the easy readout of the RFID tags. Readout is provided via several antennae, which fit into a weather-resistant box together with electronics. The box is mounted to the trailer hitch of a vehicle. The data is radio-transmitted to the computer in the car for evaluation. The collected data gives road maintenance service providers a detailed overview of the road's condition, thus contributing to increasing the service life of reconstructed roads. This helps to reduce costs and guarantees sustainable road construction.

The RFID labels applied directly to the nonwoven material lie at least 4cm under an asphalt surface and offer the road maintenance provider continuous, contactless communication with the road network. The RFID transponders work with ultra-high frequencies and are therefore easily readable even through thick layers of asphalt and concrete. The scanning system can be mounted in a vehicle and enables secure and comfortable readout. The system offers a large range and convenient data transfer, even during a fast drive, according to the firm.

Related Content

  • Laser scanning focuses on asset management
    January 9, 2015
    Laser scanners and improved data collection and analysis software are making light of asset management surveying. David Arminas reports The age of the laser scanner is upon us, taking over from traditional manual methods of surveying, data collection and processing. These new technical developments are making it much easier to process and use the data captured and are providing highways engineers with powerful tools to record, map and visualise their assets. This is good news for highways authorities
  • Weigh-in-motion key to maximising road life
    February 24, 2012
    The market and technology for weigh-in-motion systems continues to evolve – Mike Woof writes. for both mature and developing highway infrastructure networks, traffic densities play an important role in determining road wear and life. Monitoring traffic volumes and individual vehicle weight is crucial for ensuring roads can cope in the long term and that maintenance can be planned, while the problem of overloading can be eliminated.
  • Efficient asset management to trim maintenance budgets
    January 22, 2014
    Transport infrastructure is taken for granted in many, if not most, developed countries. This has resulted in a shortage of investment in maintenance, posing potential long term cost issues. In many developing nations transport networks are expanding fast, but insufficient thought is also being given to how these will be maintained.
  • Road surfacing: the case for sustainability
    March 5, 2020
    Erik Denneman* makes the social and business case for sustainable pavements for which much of the technology already exists.