Effectiveness of pavement condition measurement on paved rural arterials using portable profiler

Abstract: Rural areas often face significant challenges in maintaining and managing pavement conditions due to limited financial resources and access to advanced technologies. Recognizing this pressing need, this research aims to explore and evaluate low-cost, portable solutions for pavement management in rural settings. Specifically, we focus on using a portable precision profiler system to measure pavement conditions in terms of the International Roughness Index (IRI) and gather subjective ratings from local users.
Our study involves a comparative analysis of road condition data collected using the profiler and smartphones, using the quarter car simulation model to correlate with the national database. Smartphone data collection leverages mobile devices' widespread availability and affordability, making it a viable option for rural communities. We will assess the correlation between the smartphone data and the profiler measurements to determine the feasibility of using smartphones as a supplementary tool for pavement condition assessment. Furthermore, the reliability and repeatability of the portable profiler will be rigorously evaluated against a pathway van equipped with additional 3D image collection technology, which is currently considered a gold standard in road condition assessment. By comparing the profiler's performance with the pathway van, we aim to validate the effectiveness of the portable solution in providing accurate and consistent pavement condition data. The outcomes of this research will provide valuable insights into the practicality of implementing low-cost, portable pavement management solutions in rural areas with insufficient funding, thereby enhancing the quality of life for residents in these communities.