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Roadroid: Continuous Road Condition Monitoring with Smart Phones



Author(s)

Lars Forslöf1 and Hans Jones1, 2

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2015.04.012

1. Roadroid AB, Ljusdal 82735, Sweden
2. Department of Computer Engineering, Dalarna University, Borlänge 78450, Sweden

Road condition is an important variable to measure in order to decrease road and vehicle operating/maintenance costs, but also to increase ride comfort and traffic safety. By using the built-in vibration sensor in smart phones, it is possible to collect road roughness data which can be an indicator of road condition up to a level of Class 2 or 3 in a simple and cost efficient way. Since data collection therefore is possible to be done more frequently, one can better monitor roughness changes over time. The continuous data collection can also give early warnings of changes and damage, enable new ways to work in the operational road maintenance management, and can serve as a guide for more accurate surveys for strategic asset management and pavement planning. Collected measurement data are wirelessly transferred by the operator when needed via a web service to an internet mapping server with spatial filtering functions. The measured data can be aggregated in preferred sections, as well as exported to other GIS (geographical information systems) or road management systems. Our conclusion is that measuring roads with smart phones can provide an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective way for road organizations to deliver road condition data.

Road condition, asset management, mobility, smart phone, intelligent transportation systems.