Research & Innovation

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NS756: Improved calibration process for pavement distress collection and automated processing used by MnDOT

Problem

Annually MnDOT collects and processes distress pavement distress data on its mainline highway pavements. This data is very important for assessing the present condition of the pavements but is also important for choosing pavement projects in the next 10 years. However, changes in data collection and processing have created a concern about the accuracy of the distress data. In the last several years, MnDOT has change from manual to automated distress processing and is currently changing to new software/equipment, both of which will have an effect on the reported distress. Because of its importance and equipment/software changes the accuracy of the data is a concern and a method of ensuring the data’s accuracy is imperative. Additionally, FHWA requires a data quality plan that may address these issues, but MnDOT’s plan needs to be updated.

Objective

The purpose of this project is to 1) develop a procedure to calibrate the MnDOT distress collection and automated processing using MnDOT’s Pathways equipment and software 2) update the MnDOT data quality management plan.

Previous research

• Improve Data Quality for Automated Pavement Distress Data Collection
• Download literature search

Expected outcomes

• New or improved business practices, procedure, or process
• New or improved decision support tool, simulation, or model/algorithm (software)

Expected benefits

The numbers 1 and 2 indicate whether the source of the benefit measurement is from: 

1. A specific research task in your project that will be measuring this particular benefit, or
2. A separate effort to analyze data provided by the state or local agency involved in this project.

• Operation and Maintenance Saving: (1)
  • Pavement distress data is very important for assessing the present condition of pavements and for choosing pavement projects in the future. However, changes in data collection and processing have created a concern about the accuracy of the distress data. In the last several years, MnDOT has changed from manual to automated distress processing and is currently changing to new software/equipment, both of which will have an effect on the reported distress.
• Decrease Engineering/Administrative Cost: (2)
  • Ensuring the quality of pavement distress data will help ensure that proper pavement projects will be selected for construction in the future by both MnDOT and counties.

Technical advisory panel

• Steven Henrichs
• TBD