Figure 23: Examples of Pave Project ManagerTM detailed reports with temperature profiles and paver speed or time diagram [53

Figure 23: Examples of Pave Project ManagerTM detailed reports with temperature profiles and paver speed or time diagram [53]

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3.1.1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages

The primary advantage of using a paver mounted thermal scanner is that it provides real time temperature profiles that allow operators to make immediate decisions that improve the quality and performance of the pavement. This reduces premature cracking and raveling later in the pavement service thus reducing maintenance costs. Since it is attached to the paver, a continuous temperature profile along with paver and placement details can be obtained instead of randomly selected areas like previous technologies. The systems are also easy to install and can be adaptable to many different pavers [53].

Previous technology relied on a distance wheel to determine location on the pavement relative to the thermal image or scan irrelevant to whether it was roadside or attached to the paver. The PMTP system is equipped with GPS technology so that the precise location of the pavement area in question can be accurately located, monitored, and repaired if need be.

The automated data collection also reduces exposure to inspectors [47]. The inspector can receive and analyze the temperature profile from a safer distance. Continuing the safety aspect, this system does not need a dedicated operator and remains out of the way to other workers.

The Pave Project ManagerTM software also has several advantages. As mentioned before, the software provides the temperature profile and several types of diagrams for the entire project. It also creates DOT specific quality reports. Additionally, while the raw sensor data can be accessed if necessary, the software prescreens the data for the user [52]. The software cleans the data by removing temperatures collected within two feet from the edge, data at areas where the paver stops for more than 10 seconds, and any outsiders exceeding the minimum and maximum temperature that may be due to error [52]. The final analysis zone prescreened by the software can be seen in Figure 24.

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