Assessment of surface damage and cracks in road pavements (BORIS)

Project duration: 1.9.2022 to 28.2.2024

The project, which was tendered as part of Transport Infrastructure Research 2021 (Mobility of the Future), serves to expand and improve the condition assessment of the road superstructure in the area of cracks and surface damage.

The assessment methodology currently used is based on visual recording as part of an inspection. The next major evolutionary step now envisaged involves the use of video recordings, laser images, etc. and automated evaluation options (e.g. using AI). Several small intermediate steps will be necessary for this change. With BORIS, the experts at the Research Center Building and Design are contributing to improving and redesigning the recording and evaluation methodology for the condition variables of cracks and surface damage, increasing the accuracy of the information and assigning it to technically sensible maintenance measures.

The following list shows the results aimed for within the framework of BORIS:

• Literature study on the current state of the art regarding the condition assessment and evaluation of surface damage and cracks, including current research results at national and international level
• Suggestions for improvement for the damage assessment or partial damage assessment at the individual feature level and expansion of the assessment dimensions to include the location of the damage with specifications for the assessment accuracy and the definition of the severity or extent of the damage
• Description of the relationship between the individual characteristic and the cause of damage
• Algorithm for calculating the condition variables cracks and surface damage, splitting into partial condition variables if necessary against the background of consideration in the value synthesis
• Algorithm for the normalisation (assessment) of the condition variables, taking into account the intensity of possible maintenance measures
• Improvement proposals for the adaptation of the value synthesis for the calculation of the use value and the asset value with adaptation proposals for the calculation of the asset value
• Comprehensive comparative calculation between current and new valuation methodology at section and sub-network level and presentation of the change Proposals for adapted valuation backgrounds
• Final report with the results from the technical-scientific work packages as well as a text proposal for the revision of the current guideline RVS 13.1.16

• External partners:
  • AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology
  • Deighton Engineering Office for Transport and Infrastructure Planning GmbH
• Coordinating partners
  • AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology

Research Center Building and Design