A ROAD PROFILE DATA-GATHERING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM

A PROFILE DATA-GATHERING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM DEVELOPED FOR THE TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS DESCRIBED. THIS PAPER PRESENTS DETAILS OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM AND DEMONSTRATES THAT RAPID AND EFFECTIVE DATA PROCESSING IS ESSENTIAL FOR A USABLE SYSTEM. THE ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL DATA CONVERSION AND PROCESSING SUBSYSTEM USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SURFACE DYNAMICS PROFILOMETER IS DESCRIBED. THE OPERATING PROCEDURE USED FOR GATHERING AND VALIDATING DATA IS PRESENTED COVERING BOTH THE PROFILOMETER AND ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL SUBSYSTEMS. THE ANALYSIS OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM INCLUDES AN EXPERIMENT CONDUCTED TO CHECK THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CALIBRATION SIGNALS AND DETECT ERRORS IN THE DIGITIZATION PROCESS. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED DURING DEVELOPMENT OF THE OVERALL SYSTEM AND CORRECTIONS REQUIRED TO KEEP THE SYSTEM OPERATIONAL ARE DESCRIBED. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEEDED MODIFICATIONS, INCLUDING A NONCONTACT SENSING WHEEL, ARE DISCUSSED. /AUTHOR/