Vehicle-Mounted Road Inspection System with Multi-Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting and assessing roadway and bridge infrastructure are inefficient, as they require closing roads, are time-consuming, and fail to accurately detect and quantify defects in real-time, leading to accelerated deterioration and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted system integrating infrared and visible spectrum cameras, laser distance sensors, GPS, and GPR for simultaneous data acquisition and fusion, allowing for rapid and accurate detection of subsurface and surface defects at normal highway speeds, enabling data correlation with geographic positioning and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional inspection methods (chain dragging, visual inspection) are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but inspection speed and productivity are severely limited requiring road closures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple inspection technologies (infrared thermography, visible spectrum imaging, laser range finding, GPS positioning, and GPR) into an integrated vehicle-mounted system. This merging enables simultaneous multi-parameter data acquisition at highway speeds, resolving the contradiction by achieving high productivity through consolidated complex instrumentation rather than sequential simple methods
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to detect various defect types (delaminations, cracks, subsurface anomalies) using different physical principles simultaneously. This universal approach allows a single system to perform multiple inspection functions that traditionally required separate specialized equipment and procedures, maintaining productivity while managing complexity through integrated design
2Measurement precision
If road closures are implemented for inspection, then measurement precision and data quality are improved, but loss of time and economic productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous inspection operations at normal highway speeds without requiring road closures or traffic interruptions. The vehicle-mounted apparatus maintains continuous data acquisition across the roadway surface while moving, eliminating the time loss associated with stopping traffic while preserving measurement precision through uninterrupted scanning
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of potential defects during normal traffic flow, allowing targeted follow-up inspections only where needed. This preliminary screening capability reduces the overall time required for comprehensive inspection by focusing detailed analysis on suspicious areas rather than requiring complete road closure for exhaustive examination
3Measurement precision
If multiple inspection technologies are integrated, then defect detection capability and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a central computer system as an intermediary to coordinate data acquisition from multiple sensors (infrared cameras, visible cameras, laser range finders, GPS, GPR) and integrate the diverse data streams. This intermediary processing unit harmonizes the different data formats and timing requirements, managing system complexity while enabling precise defect characterization through multi-source data fusion
4Productivity
If high-speed data acquisition is implemented, then productivity is improved, but data processing complexity and computational requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing and filtering of raw data immediately upon acquisition, identifying and flagging potential defects before complete data sets are accumulated. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden of processing entire data sets at high speed by pre-identifying areas requiring detailed analysis, thereby managing processing complexity while maintaining acquisition productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables rapid, accurate identification and quantification of defects, reducing road closures, improving safety, and providing comprehensive data for infrastructure maintenance, while maintaining traffic flow and enhancing defect characterization and repair planning.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle-mounted infrared data capture camera
Implementation Method 2
a laser distance or range finder that allows continuous elevation measurement
Implementation Method 3
GPR (ground-penetrating radar)
Data Source
AI summary
A surface scanning apparatus attached to a movable highway vehicle, mobile equipment or a drone (collectively, “platform”) that passes over a substrate, at least some of the features of which are to be sensed and characterized. The apparatus includes a variously adaptable, complete, and ready to operate packaged kit including configured sensor suites with components selected from the group consisting of a visual scanning sensor; an infra-red scanning sensor; a ground-penetrating radar unit; a laser range finder for sensing elevation of the apparatus above the substrate; a distance sensor for measuring displacement of the apparatus from a point of origin; a position sensing unit for determining a position of the apparatus; a simultaneous trigger mechanism; a structural boom assembly attached to the platform; and a processor for digitally processing measurements and signals collected by one or more of the group of components.