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Ames Engineering continues to work with our customers to develop
products that will better meet their needs. As smoothness specifications have become
more challenging throughout the nation, the paving industry has become concerned about
the surface texture of both concrete and asphalt pavements, and the effects that it can
have on smoothness measurements. Even the smallest increases in smoothness values can
mean the difference between a contractor receiving a bonus or penalty. In 2003 our engineers
developed the first wide spot, bridging laser designed to remove surface texture from profile
smoothness measurements. The Ames
TriODS sensor was the first step in successfully reducing both IRI and
PI measurements.
In 2005, Ames Engineering partnered with
LMI Selcom in successfully integrating the next generation in laser technology, called the
RoLine. In October 2005, the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)
tested our Model 6200 Lightweight Profiler equipped with the RoLine sensor and found that it
could significantly reduce the effects of surface texture on smoothness measurements.
Ames Engineering is currently taking orders for this new system.