MEASUREMENT OF ROAD SURFACE SHAPE USING A LASER SENSOR

A contactless laser sensor has been developed that is capable of measuring vertical height from the road surface up to 3300 times per second. It has a resolution of 0.282 mm over its working range of 72 mm, which is centred at a distance of 270 mm from the sensor. The sensor has been employed in the development of computer controlled systems for measuring, at traffic speed, the longitudinal profile, the macrotexture and the wheel-track rutting of a road surface. The operation of the sensor and its applications to the measurement of surface shape are described. (Author/TRRL)