Infrared Cameras Reveal World of Pavement Problems
State transportation departments and private contractors have found a way to determine where a pavement mat will turn into a pothole. Their technological crystal balls are infrared cameras that photograph hot mix asphalt during the pavement laydown process. The devices look for patches of asphalt that are too cool and will not compact correctly.
For decades, transportation contractors have attributed short pavement life to aggregate segre-gation. But infrared images now suggest that temperature differentials within a mat can cause an overlay expected to last 15 years to fall apart in less than 12 months.