Simple approach to the detection and visualization of road surface defects

Few would argue against the increasing importance of cost effective maintenance of road networks and the crucial role played by early and accurate detection of road defects. Conventional methods of visual surveying tend to be expensive, time consuming and reliant upon human judgement for both detection and classification. Road surveying using electronic instrumentation, imaging and computer processing is becoming an increasingly important part of road management. Considerable work has been carried out on the development of automated methods for collecting data at `normal' vehicle speeds.