Richard Sohaney

Real-Time Smoothness Measurements on Portland Cement Concrete Pavements During Construction

This report presents the findings of a research study conducted to evaluate and demonstrate real-time smoothness measuring technologies for concrete paving. The work under this study was executed in three distinct but connected phases. Phase I focused on identifying all potential technologies by contacting leading transportation agencies, paving contractors, paving equipment manufacturers, and representatives of concrete pavement associations. Phase II consisted of thorough field evaluation to objectively evaluate the most viable real-time smoothness measuring technologies identified during Phase I, the GOMACO Smoothness Indicator (GSI) and Ames Engineering Real Time Profiler (RTP). Phase III consisted of a series of additional field demonstrations throughout the nation. This report provides documentation of the field data and performance of these technologies as captured during the three project phases. In general, it was found that the two technologies evaluated in the field have reasonable agreement to reference profiles, ability to provide a relative estimate of roughness, and ability to recognize areas where roughness accumulates the most aggressively (i.e., localized roughness).