Commonwealth of Pennsylvania PA Test Method No. 428 - Method of Test for MEASURING PAVEMENT PROFILE USING A LIGHT WEIGHT PROFILER

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Blaney

Method defines procedures for measuring pavement profile and roughness using a Light Weight Profiler driven longitudinally over pavement. It establishes how ride quality is determined from the longitudinal profile using the International Roughness Index (IRI) for acceptance and payment, and describes calibration verification steps and data collection requirements for paving projects with ride quality specifications. It also specifies terminology for IRI and Light Weight Profiler systems, and outlines apparatus and minimum certification expectations for devices and operators.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Scope

Referenced Documents

Terminology

International Roughness Index (IRI)

Excluded Area

Light Weight Profiler System (LWP)

Raw (Unfiltered) Binary Data

Apparatus

Repair and Adjustment of Light Weight Profiler

Acceptance

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania PA Test Method No. 428 Department of Transportation 2018 14 Pages ASSET MANAGEMENT DIVISION Method of Test for MEASURING PAVEMENT PROFILE USING A LIGHT WEIGHT PROFILER 1. SCOPE 1.1. This test method covers the measurement of pavement profile and roughness using a Light Weight Profiler by driving the profiler longitudinally over the pavement. 1.2. This test method covers the determination of the pavement ride quality from the longitudinal profile, in the form of the International Roughness Index (IRI), for acceptance and payment. 1.3. This test method covers the calibration verification procedures and it outlines the procedures for collecting Light Weight Profiler data on paving projects. 1.4. This test method covers the submission requirements for projects with a ride quality specification. 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 2.1. NCHRP Report 228 Calibration of Response-Type Road Roughness Measuring Systems 2.2. ASTM Standards • E950/E950M Standard Test Method for Measuring the Longitudinal Profile of Traveled Surfaces with an Accelerometer Established Inertial Profiling Reference • E1926 Standard Practice for Computing International Roughness Index of Roads from Longitudinal Profile Measurements • E2560 Standard Specification for Data Format for Pavement Profile 2.3. AASHTO Standards • R 56 Standard Practice for Certification of Inertial Profiling Systems • R 57 Standard Practice for Operating Inertial Profiling Systems 2.4. PennDOT Publications and Forms • Publication 408, Specifications • Publication 589, Light Weight Profiling System Calibration Verification and Operator Certification Program Manual • Publication 2, Project Office Manual, Section B.6.23, Verification Process for Ride Quality of Newly Constructed Pavements • Form M-7, Contractor IRI Data Collection Form 3. TERMINOLOGY-DESCRIPTION OF TERMS SPECIFIC TO THIS PTM 3.1. International Roughness Index (IRI) -A scale for roughness based on the response of a generic motor vehicle to roughness of the road surface. IRI was developed as a reference measure by The World Bank, and is based on a quarter-car simulation as described in NCHRP Report 228. IRI is determined by obtaining a suitably accurate measurement of the profile of the road, processing it through an algorithm that simulates the way a reference vehicle would respond to the roughness inputs, and accumulating the suspension travel. 3.2. Excluded Area-An area that is not included in the measurement, used to determine lot payment. 3.3. Light Weight Profiler System (LWP) -An inertial profiler that is relatively lightweight (golf cart, ATV, etc.) compared with high-speed profilers. It is often operated much more slowly than prevailing traffic speed. 3.4. Raw (Unfiltered) Binary Data – Inertial profiler output files that have not been filtered and are saved in binary, encrypted form. Profiler manufacturers use various file extensions to save the profile, speed and elevation data which are required for the data tobe reprocessed as the user needs. Refer to your profiler’s manufacturer for questions regarding your equipment’s raw binary output files. 3.4.1. Engineering Research Division (ERD)– A file format developed within the Engineering Research Division of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) . ERD is the standard file format used by ProVAL, an engineering software application that allows users to view and analyze longitudinal pavement profiles. 3.4.2. Pavement Profile Standard File Format (PPF)– A binary based file format created for ProVAL, an engineering software application that allows users to view and analyze longitudinal pavement profiles. The ASTM International profile data file specification, E2560, is based on this format. 4. APPARATUS 4.1. The Light Weight Profiling System must be an all-terrain or golf-cart type vehicle equipped with various hardware and software that together allow the

FAQs

What does PA Test Method No. 428 cover?

It covers measurement of pavement profile and roughness using a Light Weight Profiler, determination of ride quality via IRI for acceptance and payment, calibration verification, and procedures for collecting profiler data on paving projects.

How is International Roughness Index (IRI) determined in the method?

IRI is determined by measuring the road profile with sufficient accuracy, processing it through an algorithm that simulates a reference vehicle’s response to roughness inputs, and accumulating suspension travel.

What certification and verification requirements are specified?

The method sets minimum certification requirements for Light Weight Profiler devices and operators, requires prior checks that the profiler is calibrated and operating properly, and specifies verification/certification actions consistent with Publication 589 and decal validity rules.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Blaney