A Prototype Integrated Monitoring System for Pavement and Traffic Based on an Embedded Sensing Network

In the past half-century, the monitoring systems for traffic or infrastructure have been developed a lot. Because of the interdependency between traffic and infrastructure, significant advantages can be expected if the monitoring system for traffic can be integrated with that for infrastructure. In October 2011, a wireless sensing network (WSN) was installed on Virginia State Route 114. Since then, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA, USA) has been developing an integrated monitoring system of pavements and traffic. This paper presents the achievement of this study: a prototype system that can monitor pavement conditions and collect traffic information simultaneously using the same embedded sensing network. In the sensing network, the sensors are ranged in longitudinal and transverse groups, and the compositions, characteristics, and functionalities of the two arrangements are introduced. The two monitoring patterns of the system, i.e., continuous monitoring and periodic testing, are explained, and the data processing methods in the two patterns are illustrated. The whole system is presented combining hardware and software, and a flowchart is used to clarify its component and function modules. This system has the potential to achieve comprehensive monitoring functions for both traffic and infrastructure based on the embedded sensing network. This system is still under study, and needs to be consummated with various loading and environmental conditions taken into consideration. Once finished, this system will be valuable for the Intelligent Transportation System in the future.