Denmark's iPAVE technology, mounted on trucks, is revolutionizing road assessment in South Australia. Using lasers and cameras, iPAVE swiftly gathers data on road texture, condition, and bearing capacity at highway speeds, covering 400 state-maintained roads without traffic control. This innovation aids in prioritizing road repairs and upgrades, offering insights into surface and structural conditions. The Minister for Regional Roads plans to leverage iPAVE data for a comprehensive regional road audit. With 2,500 km already surveyed, the project aims to complete 18,000 km by April, showcasing a promising leap in road infrastructure management.
A new technology called iPAVE, short for Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle, has been introduced in South Australia to gather crucial data about the state's roads and highways. Developed in Denmark, this innovative system is mounted on a truck and equipped with lasers and video cameras. As the truck travels at highway speeds, iPAVE assesses road texture, condition, and bearing capacity in a single pass. The primary purpose of iPAVE is to collect vital information that will aid in determining future road maintenance priorities and identifying areas that need repairs and upgrades. Unlike traditional methods, iPAVE eliminates the need for traffic control as it swiftly covers nearly 400 state-maintained roads in South Australia. The cutting-edge technology of iPAVE provides a comprehensive understanding of the road surface, detecting issues such as cracking. It goes a step further by utilizing ground-penetrating radar to assess the structural conditions beneath the surface. This allows maintenance crews to make quicker and more informed decisions about where repairs are most urgently needed. The collected data serves various purposes, including assessing the bearing capacity of the pavement and understanding the impact of factors like flooding and water ponding. By pinpointing areas at risk of failure, iPAVE guides long-term investments to enhance road safety. The Minister for Regional Roads has committed to conducting an audit of regional roads using the findings from iPAVE. This ensures that local communities' transportation needs are met and resources are allocated efficiently. Since its recent launch, iPAVE has covered 2,500 kilometres out of its 18,000-kilometre survey goal. This survey is a joint effort between the National Transport Research Organisation and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport. Roads like Glen Osmond Road, the South Eastern Freeway, and sections of Stott Highway and Karoonda Highway have already been assessed. The next phase of the survey will cover the Murray and Mallee, Fleurieu, and North Adelaide regions. The entire survey of South Australian roads is expected to be completed by April next year. iPAVE, now in its third iteration, follows two previous models that collectively covered over 400,000 kilometres of roads in Australia and New Zealand. This technological advancement marks a significant step forward in efficiently managing and maintaining road infrastructure.
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
