Evaluation of Two New Vaisala Sensors for Road Surface Conditions Monitoring

This report describes the results of an investigation concerning the performance of two new Vaisala pavement sensors for monitoring road surface conditions. Road surface condition data reported by the Vaisala sensors were compared to those by traditional in-situ pavement sensors and visual observations. In addition, grip levels estimated by Vaisala sensors were compared to real surface friction measurements taken by a continuous friction meter. Based on the limited field observations, it was found that 1) the Vaisala sensors were reliable and accurate in determining road surface contaminants; 2) there were systematic differences in temperature measurements between the Vaisala sensor and the traditional in-situ Lufft sensor; and 3) the grip levels reported by the Vaisala sensor did not correlate well with the observed friction measurements.