GMR ROAD PROFILOMETER - A METHOD FOR MEASURING ROAD PROFILE

Abstract

ACCURATE ROAD PROFILES ARE OFTEN REQUIRED FOR THE ANALYTICAL STUDY OF VEHICLE RIDE AND VIBRATION PHENOMENA INDUCED BY ROAD IRREGULARITIES. THE DESIRE TO BRING PROFILES OF EXISTING ROADS INTO THE LABORATORY HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ROAD PROFILOMETER FOR THE RAPID MEASUREMENT OF SUCH ROAD PROFILES. THE CONTINUED INTEREST IN THIS DEVICE BY PERSONS ENGAGED IN HIGHWAY DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ENCOURAGED THE AUTHORS TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND SIMPLIFY THIS INSTRUMENT AND TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THESE HIGHWAY GROUPS. THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE BASIC OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF THE GMR PROFILOMETER, DESCRIBES THE UNIT SUPPLIED TO THE MICHIGAN STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, AND PRESENTS SOME TYPICAL TEST RESULTS. /AUTHOR/