Astate of the art vehicle is soon to assess the quality of sealed road surfaces across the MacKillop electorate.


Local MP Nick McBride directed a question to Regional Roads Minister Geoff Brock in the House of Assembly last week about the use of the Intelligent Pavement Assessment vehicle dubbed the iPAV3.


In reply, Mr Brock said the iPAV3 undertakes rapid data collection without the need of traffic control and is the only comprehensive pavement measurement vehicle that can provide structure and service condition data in that way.


Mr Brock said it had already been successfully used in other parts of South Australia.


“It is a prime mover and a trailer equipped with the heavy weight over a single rear axle,” Minister Brock said.


“A series of lasers mounted in the trailer measures the performance of the pavement in the wheel path as the truck travels down the road.


“Several cameras are also mounted on the iPAVe3 to collect asset and pavements imagery, and the ground penetrating radar is also included in the sensor suite in combination.


“This can go down to one metre under the road to actually get the opportunity to see how good it really is.


“The data gathered from the 18,000km of sealed roads in SA will be used to help determine future road maintenance and prioritise repairs and upgrades in the MacKillop electorate and across all of the state.


“Once the condition of the SE network has been assessed, the iPAVe3 is set to travel next to Kangaroo Island to assess the roads on the island itself.


“The iPAVe3 analysis of South Australia’s roads is due to be completed by the middle of the year.


“The Department for Infrastructure and Transport will then analyse the results and submit a final report to my office in the ensuing months.”
iPAVE FACTS