Are our roads as smooth as they could be?
New technologies can make our roads smoother, and better use our tax dollars.
Summer road trip? Commuting again? Summer is re-paving season! A newly paved road means more than just repairing potholes. It’s about laying down a new surface. Well spent tax dollars on your roads with a new approach, means a smoother road that is safe, reliable, and long-lasting.
Pavement that is unmaintained or in poor condition may become overly rough, forcing vehicles to travel at slower speeds on the roadway. Potholes, pavement cracks, alligatoring, distortion, and general wear of the road start sooner when the pavement did not begin it's life as smooth as possible. Properly and consistently paved roads have been proven to last longer.This is where GdB surveyors using our RD-M1 pavement scanner can safely and efficiently capture an existing road surface and provide a complete view of the current road’s conditions.
GdB utilizes a RD-M1 pavement scanner alongside contractors for road rehabilitation and maintenance projects.
What is the RD-M1?
The RD-M1 scanner is LiDAR equipment that collects a constant stream of data as you drive, delivering precise surface conditions. The ~28lb unit is mounted on a vehicle and a technician collects data as the vehicle is moving at normal highway speeds with little or no impact to operations.
The RD-M1 scanner is one of our most efficient tools. It collects more data and creates a better end product in less time and more importantly, it's far safer in high traffic areas compared to traditional survey. The scanner collects data and forms a 3D point cloud to find any damage and deterioration, such as pavement cracking, distortions, and of course, potholes in the existing pavement. The turnaround time for a scan is quicker (sometimes less than a day), allowing the contractor to get back on-site to finish repaving the roadway.

“For 3,500 feet of runway at 300 feet wide, our crew was able to scan the airport runway and collect data allowing for a 12-hour turnaround time for the contractor to start paving. This would have taken crews a few days to collect the data if surveyed traditionally.”
- Dave Zuber, Survey Party Chief Modeler
Rehabilitation of Runway 10-28 Syracuse Hancock International Airport
GdB deployed the RD-M1 pavement scanner on a Runway Rehabilitation project at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The contractor engaged GdB to utilize the scanner to capture precise elevations and site features within the limits of pavement reconstruction. A scan was completed prior to, and post pavement reconstruction to ensure that the result was a smoothly paved runway. Using the RD-M1 is fast and non-disruptive. It allows our field crews to spend less time collecting field data and helps get the facility back in operation.
How does the RD-M1 benefit...
- Quality – Allows for a better deliverable.
- Efficiency – Helps to get the project done faster.
- Safety – Takes contractors and the public out of harm’s way.
- Pavement Ride Quality Incentive – As described by NYSDOT.
- Specific Engineering – Existing conditions data rather than dated plans.
- Value – Higher quality roadway for less effort.
- Fewer detours – Fast turnaround time and fewer barrels.
- Reliable – Smoother roadways and comfortable rides.
- Responsible – Long lasting roads and better pavement conditions.