Continuous, response-based road roughness measurements utilising data harvested from telematics device sensors

Abstract

Roads need to be continuously monitored and maintained to ensure that they offer a driving surface that effectively address the safety and comfort needs of road users. Well maintained roads are also vital for freight transport companies, assisting with minimising vehicle and goods damage that can occur during transportation. Vehicle telematics is technology that is advancing in terms of complexity, diversity and data volume. Hundreds of thousands of these devices are installed in vehicles throughout South Africa and worldwide. The technology is predominantly used for the recovery of hijacked or stolen vehicles, driver behavioural insurance and monitoring and management of vehicle fleets. This paper demonstrates that vehicle telematics provides additional potential in terms of estimating road roughness (similar to a Class 3 level). This is demonstrated by utilising the global positioning system (time, latitude, longitude and speed) and vertical (z) acceleration data harvested from telematics device sensors. Road roughness data obtained from telematics technology can be used as ‘screening’ devices to measure road roughness on a real-time basis. It can also help close the gap between Class 1, Class 2 and Class 4 road roughness measurements.