DESCRIPTION:
This course presents a comprehensive overview of pavement smoothness and is designed for those directly involved in the use of inertial profilers and the application of the data obtained from inertial profilers. Participants will gain an understanding and knowledge of the different types of measurement techniques and indices used for reporting smoothness from profilers. The course is divided into units that introduce participants to the various components of roadway profiling, the operational requirements of most inertial profiling devices, and the analysis of data from most types of inertial profilers.

• Describe the data collection process and operation of the inertial profilers as pavement profile measurement devices
• Identify the basic elements of the inertial profiler, which include the profiler's components, how the equipment works, the raw data is being collected, outputs from the data collection process, and the filtering of the raw data itself
• Explain how the inertial profiler output is used to establish various smoothness indices, including data processing techniques and computational procedures of different smoothness, or ride quality indices, identification of outliers, and factors that have an effect on the variability of the measurements
• Explain the relationships between profiler results and the equipment used, the measurement surface conditions, the measurement environment, the profiler operation, and the profiler operators themselves
• Explain how data acquisition and computational methods can affect computed indices, including the filtering process, sample intervals, record intervals, variability in collecting the data, and factors that have an effect on that variability

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is intended for an audience involved in the use of inertial profilers and in the application of the data obtained from inertial profilers. This primarily includes road profiler operators and individuals responsible for the data interpretation. Information may also be of interest to users of profiler output, engineers, and administrators.

NHI TRAINING INFORMATION:
NHI Scheduler  (703) 235-0534

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT:
Mark Swanlund  (202) 366-1323

NHI TRAINING PROGRAM MANAGER:
Ross, Martha L  (703) 235-0524