The objective of this project was to develop a system for processing video images to identify, quantify, and classify pavement distress in terms of types, severity, and extent. Research has been completed with the development of a system which employs image processing and pattern recognition techniques for interpreting pavement surface distress. It shows potential for discerning isolated and patterned cracking on both asphalt and PCC pavements. It also is capable of assessing joint deterioration and discriminating joints from cracks on PCC pavements.

To test and validate the system, a video disk was compiled of 30 test sections, 300 ft in length, with various distresses. System validation showed good overall correspondence with visual observation of the video images in detecting a variety of types of cracking on both asphalt and PCC pavements.

The final report has been reviewed and approved by the project panel. The report was distributed to program sponsors and other interested persons. While the concept of surveying pavement distress in this matter is of interest to many, the details of system development have a limited audience. Therefore, the report was not published in the regular NCHRP report series, but its availability was announced via Research Results Digest No. 181.