US 5,721,685 A · Digi-track digital roadway and railway analyzer

Abstract

A horizontal position and vertical elevation measurement apparatus and method for measuring horizontal positioning and absolute elevations of railways, paved or unpaved roadways, and other travel surfaces. The apparatus is capable of determining longitudinal and transverse elevational profiles in an X-Y-Z coordinate format usable with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS) to project present and future traffic counts and traffic flow patterns. It can measure the horizontal location and elevations of paved and unpaved travel surfaces, potholes, cracks, wheel ruts, etc. within a travel surface, and the horizontal location and elevations of railway tracks when conventional railroad high rail gear is used. The apparatus has Global Positioning System (GPS) signal receiving units fixed to each end of a sensor bar mounted on a vehicle perpendicular to vehicle movement. Depending upon the type of surface is being located, the sensor bar has a combination of non-mechanical sonic or infrared distance sensors placed across the sensor bar between the GPS signal receiving units which gather vertical elevation information. Concurrent with collection of information from the GPS units and the distance sensors, a video camera projects downward at the travel surface and provides a visual reference of the surface conditions should collected data exceed preset ranges. Measurement intervals are user defined. Raw digital data is stored in an onboard computer system. The data is later transferred to a remote computer for post processing, analysis and generation of the final formatted electronic file by proprietary and copyrighted software.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A roadway and railway analyzer comprising, a vehicle capable of moving through a predetermined distance;

a sensor bar attached to said vehicle in a position perpendicular to the intended direction of movement of said vehicle, said sensor bar having opposite ends;
a pair of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal receiving units, each of said GPS signal receiving units attached to one of said opposite ends of said sensor bar;
a plurality of non-mechanical distance sensors attached to said sensor bar between said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors mounted on said sensor bar perpendicular to the surface on which said vehicle will travel during data collection;
a distance measuring device for measuring the distance traveled by said vehicle during data collection, said distance measuring device being attached to said vehicle and in contact with the surface upon which said vehicle will travel during data collection;
data collection and storage means to which each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors, and said distance measuring device is electrically connected;
means to analyze data and compute therefrom the horizontal locations and vertical elevations of roadways and railways, and translate such location and elevation information into formats usable with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS);
means to electrically connect each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors, and said distance measuring device to said data collection and storage means;
means to attach each of said GPS signal receiving units and each of said distance sensors to said sensor bar;
and means to attach said distance measuring device to said vehicle.

6 more elements

A roadway and railway analyzer comprising, a vehicle capable of moving through a predetermined distance;

a sensor bar attached to said vehicle in a position perpendicular to intended direction of movement of said vehicle, said sensor bar having opposite ends;
a pair of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal receiving units, each of said GPS signal receiving units attached to one of said opposite ends of said sensor bar;
a plurality of non-mechanical distance sensors attached to said sensor bar between said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors mounted on said sensor bar perpendicular to said travel surface;
a distance measuring device capable of measuring the distance traveled by said vehicle during data collection, said distance measuring device being attached to said vehicle and in contact with the surface upon which said vehicle will travel during data collection;
on-board computer means located on-board said vehicle for collection and storage of data collected by each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors, and said distance measuring device;
additional computer means for analysis of collected data and for computing therefrom horizontal locations and vertical elevations of roadways and railways, and for translation of location and elevation information into formats usable with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS), said computer means being capable of determining longitudinal and transverse elevational profiles in an X, Y, Z coordinate format;
said roadway and railway analyzer further comprising a wiring harness for electrically connecting each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors, and said distance measuring device to said on-board computer means;
means to attach each of said GPS signal receiving units and each of said distance sensors to said sensor bar;
and means to attach said distance measuring device to said vehicle.

6 more elements

A method for analyzing roadways and railways comprising the steps of, providing a vehicle, a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal receiving units, a plurality of non-mechanical distance sensors, a distance measuring device, means for collection and storage of data, means to analyze data, means to compute from collected data the horizontal locations and vertical elevations of roadways and railways, and means to translate collected data into formats usable with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS), as well as providing electrically connection means to electrically connect said means for collection and storage of data to each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors and said distance measuring device;

mounting each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors and said distance measuring device onto said vehicle;
using said electrical connection means to electrically connect each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors and said distance measuring device to said means for collection and storage of data;
initializing each of said GPS signal receiving units and each of said distance sensors prior to the start of data collection;
beginning to move said vehicle through a predetermined distance;
concurrent with the start of vehicle movement, initializing said means for collection and storage of data;
establishing a predefined interval for transmission of digital information from each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors, and said distance measuring device to said means for collection and storage of data;
transmitting digital information at predefined intervals from each of said GPS signal receiving units, each of said distance sensors and said distance measuring device to said means for collection and storage of data;
analyzing data and computing therefrom horizontal locations and vertical elevations of roadways and railways;
translating said horizontal locations and vertical elevations into formats usable with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS);
and comparing said formats with available Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS) to project present and future traffic counts and traffic flow patterns.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digi-track digital roadway and railway analyzer

Life of this patent

Digi-track digital roadway and railway analyzer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19