The vehicle is being operated by the Orlando, Fla.-based Data Transfer Solutions firm, a company that provides data collection services to local and state governments across the country. DTS is partnering with local consultants the Farnsworth Group and Cloudpoint Geographic on this project.
"The vehicle has a downward-facing camera that uses laser technology to analyze the road surface," said Andrea Klopfenstein, a project engineer with the city.
This isn't the first time Peoria has contracted with a firm to use computers to review its roadway system, but it's the first time for the city to use DTS technology, she said. "What the analysis provides is a pavement condition index, a number between 1 and 100," said Klopfenstein.
Roads have to get a rating of 70 or better to be eligible for a reseal or resurface treatment, she said, adding that if roads fall below that score, they show too much deterioration and need to be reconstructed.
The road scanning will take from four to eight weeks, covering both arterial and residential streets. "The van will operate during daylight hours seven days a week when the road is dry," said Klopfenstein.
When the analysis is done, the city will be able to better establish priorities as to where roadwork is needed, she said. "We have a better idea of which roads to improve," said Klopfenstein, noting that data also provides a cost figure that can be used when the City Council works on its budget.
"It helps in running different budget scenarios. The report might tell you, for example, that if you spend $1 million (on roadwork), your PCI will drop five points," she said.
For more information on the program, call the city's public works department at 494-8800.
©2017 the Journal Star (Peoria, Ill.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
