Video Survey

The system uses high-definition digital video to capture the road surface condition. The video is both chainage-referenced and geo-referenced for ease of post-processing. This ensures maximum compatibility with the RMO MapRoad package (where underlying data storage is chainage based) as well as full compatibility with any GIS including MapInfo as the data is also geo-referenced using GPS technology.

Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI)

The Department of Transport (DOT) developed the Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI) rating system to assess rural and urban roads using a 1 to 10 visual scale. This simplified scale, created in 2011 for Irish road conditions and detailed in the DOT Roads Manual, rates pavement condition from 1 (totally failed) to 10 (excellent). The manual includes distress descriptions, visual examples, and photographs linked to four main surface defect categories: Surface Defects, Pavement Deformation, Cracks, and Surface Openings.

PSCI ratings are applied through continuous visual surveys, often using video recordings. Ratings reflect the overall road condition over a minimum 50-metre segment. The system links directly to four remedial work categories: Road Reconstruction, Surface Restoration, Restoration of Skid Resistance, and Routine Maintenance, providing a structured approach to road condition evaluation and repair planning.

Pavement Condition Index

PMS Pavement Management Services Ltd. have carried out a large number of contracts for consultants and local authorities to rate the pavement condition of road sections using the Pavement Condition index (PCI).

Many of these contracts involve Before and After assessment of roads that have been damaged during construction of large civil works, including water supply, sanitary services, mine development and pipelaying.

The results are used to quantitatively show the impact of the related traffic on the road condition, and as a basis for estimating the appropriate remedial costs attributable to the project traffic.