3D Laser Scanner Technique for in situ analysis of road pavement surface texture

The traditional techniques currently used to characterise road surface texture produce two-dimensional results relating to a single section. One of the disadvantages of this approach is that doesn't allow the evaluation of three-dimensional surface texture indicators. It also means that the data are less significant. As an alternative, the authors experimented and recommend the use of a high-precision triangulation laser scanner, able to characterise the texture of the road pavement surface layer using morphological areal parameters instead of profilometer results. In this way a single acquisition assures sufficient data homogeneity and representativeness and makes it possible to add other indicators such as texture size, spacing and distribution to traditional indicators, such as Mean Profile Depth (MPD). The authors investigate the potential applications of the method for the characterisation of road surface texture, based on results obtained in a previous lab trial involving the use of laser scanning techniques on various asphalt samples.