This is a follow-on project for field testing and implementation of a pavement quality indicator (PQI) system developed in a previous IDEA project (NCHRP-IDEA 32) for real-time asphalt pavement density measurements (Figure 1). The project was carried out in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The test program produced several design improvements that included sensing probe design, averaging capability of microprocessor logic, backlit readout screen, and calibration capability enhancement. Test results showed that the equipment performed equal to or better than the nuclear density gauge both in accuracy and reproducibility. The equipment is commercially available. More than 500 units have been sold both in the U.S. and abroad. The PQI system is currently being evaluated for field performance by a number of states in a pooled-fund study. The final report is available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS # PB99-117095).

The final report for this IDEA project can be found at:
https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/archive/studies/idea/finalreports/highway/NCHRP047_Final_Report.pdf