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3D Road Texture Scanner

3D Road Texture Scanner

Lab on the road

At the AIT Center for Transport Technologies, we investigate tyre-road interaction to reduce tyre rolling noise, increase safety (grip) and reduce tyre rolling resistance (CO2 emission). We have therefore developed a new high-performance 3D road texture scanner that enables precise scanning of the road surface - on test panels or small sections, or even in moving traffic. The scanner can be used on a transportable trolley or on a measurement trailer. This novel technology and our many years of experience in acoustic measurement are the basis for the coupled modelling and simulation of the tyre-road interaction generated by the texture.

Background

The microstructure of the road surface (< 1mm) contributes to grip and rolling resistance of tyres. Unfortunately the microstructure is not easily accessible by common measurement technologies (slow & low accuracy).

However, an accurate measurement of the road surface is of utmost importance for:

  • scientific research on tyre-road interaction (noise, grip, rolling resistance, …)
  • road maintenance and road condition monitoring

Our Solution

  • The AIT 3D road texture scanner applies the stereo vision by using two xposure line scan cameras developed by AIT.
  • The AIT xposure camera is the world’s fastest line scan camera with a scanning rate of 600 kHz.
  • This high-speed equipment enables us to measure the road surface at a maximum speed of 130 km/h.
  • In the post processing a resolution of 60 μm in all three spatial directions is achieved.
  • With a recording width of 12 cm, the majority of the road surface that is in contact with the tyre can be recorded in one measurement.
  • In-situ measurements on the road are easily done and no traffic lanes need to be closed for measurements.
  • The simultaneous acquisition and coupled modelling of road surface, tyre/road noise and road texture is made possible.
  • The scanner can be easily mounted on a measuring trailer or trolley.
  • No laser radiation necessary.
  • The measurement is possible under traffic in combination with rolling noise, road absorption or grip.
  • Highly precise input data for further modelling of tyre-road interaction is generated.

|_______________| approx. 1 cm

Key Features

  • High accuracy (resolution of 60 μm in X/Y/Z)
  • High measurement speed of 130 km/h
  • High raw data rate of 64 Gbyte/km
  • Mountable on a transportable trolley or measuring trailer

Possible Applications

  • High-precision capture of the 3D texture of a road surface
  • “Lab on the road” for science and industry
  • Automated road condition monitoring for road authorities
  • Correlation of 3D texture parameters with rolling noise or other parameters (grip, rolling resistance)
  • Modelling of tyre/road interaction for the optimisation of road surfaces and investigations regarding ageing and long-term behaviour of road surfaces