Using cellphones to measures road defects

A novel system is now available that allows a smartphone to be used to measure road defects. Developed by Grimmer Software, the RoadBump Android application can be used to measure the roughness of a road. This tool can provide estimates of International Roughness Index (IRI) in metric or standard units, without requiring high-cost laser profilers.
August 19, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
A novel system is now available that allows a smartphone to be used to measure road defects. Developed by Grimmer Software, the RoadBump Android application can be used to measure the roughness of a road.

This tool can provide estimates of International Roughness Index (IRI) in metric or standard units, without requiring high-cost laser profilers.

RoadBump uses an Android device's GPS and accelerometer to measure the roughness of a road. It displays a map of the road that was measured, and allows you to zoom in to measure any part of the travelled path. RoadBump produces estimated IRI and Present Serviceability Rating (PSR) graphs. An accelerometer graph shows individual bumps, dips and waves.

The firm said that this tool is easy to use. Activating the unit and driving along the road at normal speed is sufficient to gather road data. A network connection is not required. The unit can be used when travelling at speeds from 32 to 100km/h and is said to have been extensively tested to ensure its accuracy.
Maintenance

Related Content

  • Efficient aggregate production with new technology
    December 9, 2022
    New equipment is providing major benefits for aggregate production, offering superior product quality as well as increased throughput, while also being able to better meet sustainability targets for customers
    Read More
  • Efficient truck loading to optimise operations
    September 14, 2017
    Specialist supplier LASE commissioned the LaseTVM tool on a road construction site for contractor EuroTransStroy at a construction site in St Petersburg, Russia. The laser-based measurement system is able to determine the volume of bulk materials such as sand and crushed stones with high accuracy. This can be used to prevent differences in loads from one truck to another, so as to ensure consistency. The system also identifies truck license plates and the load area, providing comprehensive data collation.
    Read More
  • Efficient truck loading to optimise operations
    September 14, 2017
    Specialist supplier LASE commissioned the LaseTVM tool on a road construction site for contractor EuroTransStroy at a construction site in St Petersburg, Russia. The laser-based measurement system is able to determine the volume of bulk materials such as sand and crushed stones with high accuracy. This can be used to prevent differences in loads from one truck to another, so as to ensure consistency. The system also identifies truck license plates and the load area, providing comprehensive data collation.
    Read More
  • Innovations in machine control delivering performance
    May 20, 2019
    New innovations in machine control are delivering highperformance, with advances to come showing future potential – Mike Woof writes In transportation, the potential for autonomous vehicles that operate without the need for a human driver is now being evaluated. A string of development projects are underway by an array of automotive and technology companies, sometimes in partnership with each other. In the mining sector, autonomous machines have been operating in underground facilities for 20 years and
    Read More

Highlighted Content