Research project: HELLER analyzes effects to the visibility of surface distresses

In the context of the research project „Effects of temperature to the visibility of surface distresses“, HELLER Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH analyzed the effects of temperature and humidity to the visbility of surface nature at the carriageway. The results of the project were presented on November 22nd, 2017 at the extraordinary meeting of the technical committee 4.3 „surface nature“ in Bergisch Gladbach (Germany).

Quality assured condition indices for the maintenance management of streets are provided in Germany with the established method for Road Monitoring and Assessment (ZEB). Fractures in the surface of carriageways are important characteristics to estimate the pavement condition. Possibly, temperature and humidity can affect the visbility. To quantify these effects and to find maybe suitable measuring conditions for the monitoring of data, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrustructure initiated a research project and authorized HELLER with the realization. The technical support of the project was delegated to the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt).

In collaboration with the Bergische Universität Wuppertal, HELLER started the research programme, implemented different measurement campaigns and brought the determined condition data together. The statistical evaluation and the comparison of the results were made in different scenarios: dry and drying carriageway surface, data of different seasons or different temperature. „We have evaluated, visualized and analyzed the data and were able to determine that both temperature and humidity affected the visbility of fractures“, Marek Skakuj, General Manager and Consultant at HELLER reports.

In November Skakuj presented the first results at the extraordinary meeting of the technical committee 4.3 „surface nature“. The project is currently in the final stage and the research report will be ready after some editorial modifications