Laser-Mounted Van Testing Nashville Pavement

NASHVILLE, TN — Motorists in western Davidson County may spot an unusual van this summer, as Metro Public Works has deployed its laser-mounted pavement testing vehicle to survey the state of roads.

Public Works is testing the pavement in Groups 1, 3 and 4, generally west of Interstate 65 and Briley Parkway East. A high-tech "digital survey vehicle" will capture and record digital images of pavement conditions in that area. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

The van uses laser technology to record the degree of roughness and distress along street surfaces, including potholes and cracks and collects images of the road conditions in forward, side, and downward views. The lasers can measure the change in road surface within .002 inches, roughly half the thickness of a piece of office paper.

The data will be analyzed and used to assist in developing maintenance strategies for Metro's roadways.

"The images and data we receive from the paving assessment are critical to our mission of maintaining Nashville’s roadway infrastructure by extending the life of our pavement and minimizing future repair costs," said Don Reid, Metro Public Works Right-of-Way and Paving Manger. "This information allows us to use the most appropriate pavement preservation solutions at the right time."

Images via Metro Public Works