Visual inspection, characterization, and management of road pavements
Inpav Audit is an integrated digital system for visual inspection, characterization of pavement condition, and decision support for road pavement maintenance management. It was developed to address the limitations of traditional inspection methods, combining technical accuracy, high portability, and reduced costs.
The system enables inspection campaigns to be carried out in a faster, safer, and more reliable manner, significantly reducing human and material resources as well as the time required, both in fieldwork and in subsequent data processing.
An integrated system for the entire inspection process
Traditional visual inspection methods usually involve several disconnected stages: manual data collection in the field, transcription into digital formats, data processing, and report production. This process is time-consuming, error-prone, and costly.
Inpav Audit introduces an integrated approach, continuously linking:
- Field inspection
- Data processing and analysis
- Automatic report generation
- Integration into maintenance management databases
This integration allows information to be immediately available, with clear gains in efficiency and reliability [1].
Modular system architecture
Inpav Audit is based on a modular architecture composed of several interconnected components, which can operate autonomously or in an integrated manner:
– Field Module
Portable mobile application used during inspection, which allows:
- Recording pavement distresses
- Classification of the type and severity of deterioration
- Automatic GPS georeferencing
- Direct association of photographs, videos, written notes, or audio
- Real-time visualization of inspection progress
The portability of the system allows its use on foot or in a vehicle, being particularly effective in urban areas, complex intersections, and high-traffic zones, where traditional systems are impractical [1].
– Base Module
Web interface that allows:
- Centralized coordination of inspection campaigns
- Monitoring the position and progress of field teams
- Remote adjustments to inspection configuration
- Reception and visualization of collected data
– Management Module
Desktop software responsible for:
- Processing and validation of field data
- Automatic generation of inspection reports
- Production of maps, diagrams, and distress listings
- Integration of data into pavement maintenance management systems
Main advantages
– Significant cost reduction
- Fewer operators required in the field
- Reduced inspection time and office work
– Increased safety
- Reduced exposure of technicians to traffic
- Reduced need for vehicles and traffic control operations
– High accuracy and reliability
- Automatic georeferencing of distresses
- Elimination of manual transcription errors
- Direct association between observations and photographic records
– Full flexibility
- Fully configurable distress classification criteria
- Compatible with national and international standards and catalogs
- Applicable to different types of road networks and levels of detail
Support for maintenance management
In addition to inspection and characterization, Inpav Audit is a strategic decision-support tool, enabling:
- Monitoring the evolution of pavement condition
- Prioritization of maintenance interventions
- More rational and sustainable planning of investments
The collected information can be accumulated over time, creating a solid database for road asset management, whether in municipal, concessioned, or national networks.
A practical, modern, and sustainable solution
Inpav Audit was designed to be:
- Technologically advanced
- Easy to use
- Adaptable to different operational contexts
Its adoption makes it possible to substantially improve the quality of available technical information, while simultaneously reducing costs, execution times, and environmental impacts associated with road inspection campaigns.
Inpav Audit in Scientific Literature
[1] N. Verdelho Trindade, “Development of a computerized, low-cost, portable system for visual inspection, characterization and maintenance management of highway pavements,” in Proc. 16th Int. Road Federation (IRF) World Meeting, paper 458, Int. Road Federation, Lisbon, Portugal, 2010. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357254944_Development_of_a_Computerized_Low-Cost_Portable_System_for_Visual_Inspection_Characterization_and_Maintenance_Management_of_Highway_Pavements