Browsing by Author "Mulry, Brian"

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    Automated Pavement Condition Assessment Using Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS) on Airfield Pavements in Ireland
    Mulry, Brian; Jordan, Michael; O'Brien, David A. (2015-06-04)
    Pavement condition surveys which identify pavement distress types, severities and quantities and provide a condition index or rating are an essential part of any pavement management system and an invaluable tool in the evaluation of a pavement's performance. Traditionally, distress data has been collected manually on foot, where the pavement is examined by eye, and the distress data is measured by hand. For airfield pavements, this often involves significant disruption to or closure of runways which can be very inconvenient and costly. Further modifications in Ireland have led to the development of more rapid visual inspection methods using a driven windshield survey procedure and more recently, using forward view digital video. This paper describes a case study where automated data collection and processing using Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS) technology was used to establish and graphically report the pavement condition on two major runways at Dublin and Cork Airports, Ireland. The runways at both airports were constructed with asphalt-surfaced pavements. The data collection for the study included manual walking surveys, visual surveys from forward view digital video, and the collection of intensity and range three-dimensional (3D) imagery using an LCMS mounted on a high speed vehicle. The type, severity and extent of the pavement distress data were identified from the manual survey, the digital video, and using automated extraction from the LCMS 3D imagery. The data were processed and evaluated using the Micro PAVER pavement management system and the condition reported using the US Army Corps of Engineers Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The imagery and distress data from the LCMS survey were graphically reported using colour-coded thematics in ArcGIS and Google Earth GIS formats, and the detailed distress data was also mapped in AutoCAD layers. The paper examines and compares the pavement condition results obtained from the manual, video and LCMS data collection methods, and outlines the findings in using LCMS technology to automatically identify, geo-locate and graphically report pavement condition and distress data for airfield pavements.
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    Development and Implementation of a Simplified System for Assessing the Condition of Irish Regional and Local Roads
    Mulry, Brian; Feighan, Kieran; McCarthy, John (2015-06-04)
    The surface condition of road pavements is a vital element in pavement management to prioritize projects, select appropriate treatments and make the best use of available resources. In Ireland, the overall road network of 99,008 kilometres includes 5,415 kilometres of National Roads and 93,593 kilometres of Regional and Local Roads. To evaluate the condition of the Regional and Local Roads, a simplified pavement inspection methodology, the Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI) rating system, has been developed. The PSCI system is outlined in a new Rural Flexible Roads Manual published by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The manual describes types of defects for Irish roads and provides a simple 1 to 10 scale based on pavement defects to visually rate pavement surface condition. The condition survey is carried out from a moving vehicle and the assigned PSCI rating is recorded and geo-referenced using an innovative tablet and App device. The results of the rating system provide a standardized approach to link pavement distress to specified maintenance treatment measures for Irish roads. The implementation of the Rural Flexible Roads Manual and PSCI rating system involved the development of new IT solutions and the training of local authority personnel in 31 Local Authorities. The simplified system and App device is being used by local authorities to visually rate their rural road networks with over 45,000 kilometres of network rated to date. In addition, the PSCI was successfully used as part of a major study in 2011/12 to survey the entire network of 13,121 kilometres of Regional Roads. The overall objective is to use the results of the 1 to 10 rating to establish the existing pavement condition, and the lengths of roadway requiring various types of remedial works, both nationally and at county level. This paper describes the development and implementation of a new Rural Flexible Roads Manual and PSCI rating system using an innovative tablet and App device for Irish roads. In addition, the key role of the PSCI data in the management of the Irish roads network and experience to-date of local agencies in the use of the system is discussed.