Orthographic photogrammetry method for pavement texture characterization

Abstract

Image analysis methods are recently in use for asphalt pavement surface texture characterization and analysis in terms of pavement friction performance assesment. These methods enable more detailed description of texture properties at both micro and macro texture levels which are important for friction realization as they result in a digital representation of pavement surface. In comparison to the traditional methods for texture characterization which result in one characteristic texture parameter, methods that are based on digital image analysis can yield more texture parameters describing both profile and spatial characteristics of inspected surface texture. Previous application of image analysis methods for pavement texture characterization showed that pavement texture and friction relationship could be described more thoroughly by including texture parameters other than standard mean texture depth and mean profile depth derived from traditional measuring procedures. The possibility of texture data acquisition by means of digital images that can be further processed and exploited for creation of a 3D digital pavement surface model is presented in this paper. A research was performed on selected pavements in use where orthographic photogrammetry method was applied for texture data acquisition. Images were used for creation of a 3D pavement surface model defined as a dense point cloud data with XYZ coordinates. From the created 3D digital texture model, selected texture parameters were calculated and compared to the frictional performance of the pavements determined for inspected surfaces by using standard pendulum device.