Tools for Analyzing Errors and Improving Accuracy of Existing WIM Systems

Problem Number: 1D1

Research Problem Statement:

Data collection engineers have no way to evaluate the relative influence of the various sources of error on the accuracy of a particular WIM site. Consequently they have no systematic way to decide on rehabilitation strategies when these are needed.

Research Objective and Tasks:

Objectives:

Understand the influence of pavement surface profiles on WIM accuracy.
Develop tools that can be used to evaluate measured surface profiles for new and existing WIM sites.
Develop tools and procedures for characterizing the errors generated by WIM systems to enable diagnosis of problems and rehabilitation strategies.

Tasks:

Using LTPP data, assess the likely "baseline" accuracy of a variety of existing WIM systems, i.e. accuracy in the absence of surface roughness and dynamic loads. (The difference between the real accuracy and the baseline accuracy is caused by dynamic loads.)
Develop tools for correlating the influence of measured surface profiles on WIM errors, and for specifying surface rehabilitation requirements. Validate the tools using data from LTPP calibration/validation tests
Develop "user-friendly" software tools for diagnosing and reporting the likely source of errors in measure WIM data. Test the tools on a variety of existing LTPP WIM systems.

Estimate of Problem Funding and Research Period:

Recommended Funding: $450,000

Research Period: 2 calendar years. Staffing and funding are to include 3 person-years, researcher for two years, plus a second researcher (software engineer) for one year during the same period.

Urgency, Payoff Potential, and Implementation:

As the improved traffic data collection activities in LTPP begin to be implemented (e.g., LTPP SPS Traffic Data Collection Pooled Fund Study), it is vital to ensure that the WIM systems are maintained in prime operating condition and that any accuracy problems are handled in a timely and cost-effective way.

The anticipated product of this research is a "user-friendly" software tool for diagnosing and reporting the likely source of errors in measure WIM data.

Relationship to Other Proposed LTPP Analysis Projects: None.

This problem needs to be pursued BEFORE the following proposed problems: None.

This problem should not be pursued until AFTER the following projects/problems are completed: None.

Data Collection Analysis Products Pooled Fund Studies Operations/Analysis Feedback Reports LTPP Customer Survey	Tools for Analyzing Errors and Improving Accuracy of Existing WIM Systems Problem Number: 1D1 Research Problem Statement: Data collection engineers have no way to evaluate the relative influence of the various sources of error on the accuracy of a particular WIM site. Consequently they have no systematic way to decide on rehabilitation strategies when these are needed. Research Objective and Tasks: Objectives: Understand the influence of pavement surface profiles on WIM accuracy. Develop tools that can be used to evaluate measured surface profiles for new and existing WIM sites. Develop tools and procedures for characterizing the errors generated by WIM systems to enable diagnosis of problems and rehabilitation strategies. Tasks: Using LTPP data, assess the likely "baseline" accuracy of a variety of existing WIM systems, i.e. accuracy in the absence of surface roughness and dynamic loads. (The difference between the real accuracy and the baseline accuracy is caused by dynamic loads.) Develop tools for correlating the influence of measured surface profiles on WIM errors, and for specifying surface rehabilitation requirements. Validate the tools using data from LTPP calibration/validation tests Develop "user-friendly" software tools for diagnosing and reporting the likely source of errors in measure WIM data. Test the tools on a variety of existing LTPP WIM systems. Estimate of Problem Funding and Research Period: Recommended Funding: $450,000 Research Period: 2 calendar years. Staffing and funding are to include 3 person-years, researcher for two years, plus a second researcher (software engineer) for one year during the same period. Urgency, Payoff Potential, and Implementation: As the improved traffic data collection activities in LTPP begin to be implemented (e.g., LTPP SPS Traffic Data Collection Pooled Fund Study), it is vital to ensure that the WIM systems are maintained in prime operating condition and that any accuracy problems are handled in a timely and cost-effective way. The anticipated product of this research is a "user-friendly" software tool for diagnosing and reporting the likely source of errors in measure WIM data. Relationship to Other Proposed LTPP Analysis Projects: None. This problem needs to be pursued BEFORE the following proposed problems: None. This problem should not be pursued until AFTER the following projects/problems are completed: None.	More Information Completed/Active Projects Expanded Strategic Plan in HTML NCHRP Projects Pavement Publications Preliminary Analysis Project Statements Strategic Plan in PDF Events View all Upcoming Pavements Events Contact Customer Service 202-493-3035 E-mail Customer
	This page last modified on 06/02/06