Road-Structure Monitoring with Modern Geodetic Technologies

Abstract

Investments in the development and improvement of the Romanian road network were made recently to ensure enhanced comfort, safety, and efficiency in transport conditions while observing sustainable development policies. The most important objective for Romanian road authorities has been improving the safety of the road system to achieve a secure and efficient movement of people and goods within the public network while effectively managing risks associated with road transport operations. Infrastructure-related risks include personnel injuries and material damages, which can result from physical and natural hazards, accidents, and engineering failures. In this context, this paper brings forward the applicability of state-of-the-art geodetic technologies in adjacent domains, such as civil engineering and road infrastructure works, while explaining that the best solution can be found only by thorough interdisciplinary collaboration between specialists. Thus, the study focuses on complex monitoring methods and the models used for a road structure in Romania. The main objective of the paper is to describe the methodologies (geodetic and laser scanning) used for assessing the deformations of a real road structure. By using these technologies, the authors found real deformations and their underlying causes and thereby managed to adopt the optimal technical solution for rehabilitating the road structure. Finally, the discussed case study provided highly accurate results because the methods and technologies used allow for millimeter-precise measurements of displacements and linear and angular deformations suffered by the construction.