SCANNER research and development
The TTS Scoping Study identified a number of issues which would need to be addressed before the technology could be extended to all local authority roads. It recommended that the research be carried out in two phases.
The initial research programme consisted of five projects that were carried out and reported in 2004.
- Initial review of survey techniques
- Initial study and development of transverse profile analysis
- Initial study of edge deterioration
- TTS defects index preliminary analysis
- Confirm TTS requirements and base data
The results from the initial research programme were incorporated in the SCANNER specification for surveys on classified roads in 2005/06 available here.
The technology on which SCANNER is based was developed by the Highways Agency for use on motorways and trunk roads. Local authority roads have several different characteristics which mean that the technology needed adapting, before being extended down the local road hierarchy.
The further research programme consisted of eight research projects that commenced in 2004 and were completed in 2006:
- Road geometry of local roads
- Road shape (surface form)
- Edge condition
- Uses of surface texture measurement
- Crack detection
- Other visible defects
- Using SCANNER data for maintenance management
- Consistency of TTS results
The results from this further research have been incorporated in the draft specification for SCANNER surveys in 2007/08 are available here.
Two other projects have been carried out on the development of the SCANNER Road Condition Indicator. Further information is available here.
The UK Roads Board has proposed that further research should be carried out into the feasibility of extending SCANNER surveys onto the unclassified network and a number of other aspects of automated road condition surveys, including the improved use of SCANNER data in local authority decision making.
