RoadAI glossary

address

Specific location on the road network that is defined with one or several road network metadata values and a chainage value to create a unique combination.

alligator cracking

Series of interconnecting parallel longitudinal cracks forming a pattern like the skin of an alligator.

annotation

User-generated markings or notes (text, audio, or picture) on a map.

area patching

Rectangular mend of road surface replaced with new material to repair the existing surface.

basemap

The basemap provides geographical context and content to the map. The RoadAI basemaps are: Light, Light terrain, Dark, Streets, and Satellite.

binder bleeding

A possibly sticky film of asphalt binder that creates a smooth, shiny, reflecting surface appears on the road surface.

chainage

A modeled line corresponding to the center of a straight road used to measure distance. In RoadAI, it is used for determining the direction of the drive. The start and end points, and therefore the direction of the road, depend on how the road geometry is drawn.

chainage offset

By default, chainage will be zero at the start of a road segment. A metadata field in the road network geometry can be used to apply an offset to each road section, so that the chainage may be something other than zero at the start of a road segment.

data overlay

Data visualized as a color-coded layer on top of Road network and Videos feature layers (road surface condition score, video age, structural distresses, and similar).

dedicated device

Mobile phone restricted for RoadAI data collection only.

distress

The road experiences a decline in its condition or structural load-carrying capacity.

distress severity value

The severity of a distress is defined by its lateral extent (width relative to the road width).

edge deterioration

Distresses like cracking, raveling, deformation, chippings, or potholes on the edge of the road (right or left edge deterioration).

feature layer

Feature layers are used to display a variety of data on the map. The RoadAI feature layers include, for example, Road network, Annotations, and similar.

footway

Path for pedestrian use.

high friction surface

Road surface treated to restore or enhance friction to reduce accidents. The coating provides extra friction and sustains a high level of friction over time, also on wet roads.

high friction surface deterioration

Wearing off of the high friction surface coating.

line data

Data with string of coordinates that extend from point A to B with customizable length.

longitudinal cracking

Load- or thermally-induced crevices on the road which are parallel to the centerline (from minor, under 1 cm, to moderate, about 1 cm, and severe, several centimeters).
Figure 1. Minor longitudinal cracking
Figure 2. Moderate longitudinal cracking
Figure 3. Severe longitudinal cracking

manhole

Opening large enough for a person to pass through that is used as an access point for an underground vault or pipe covered by a removable plate forming the lid.

point data

Data positioned with a single set of coordinates.

pothole

Loss of road surface material resulting in a bowl-shaped depression of varying severity.
Figure 4. Minor pothole
Figure 5. Moderate pothole
Figure 6. Severe pothole

raveling

Moderate raveling is the deterioration of pavement by loss of chippings and fine aggregate from the asphalt surface (original surface still visible). Severe raveling means a very rough surface and deep pits, chippings and the fine aggregate has eroded from the asphalt (original surface not visible anymore).
Figure 7. Moderate raveling
Figure 8. Severe raveling

road asset

The road itself, and everything on and next to it, excluding buildings, people, cars, and trees. Road asset examples include guard rails, concrete borders, storm drains, manholes, safety bollards, surface markings, and similar.

road network geometry

A road network geometry is the shape and arrangement of the physical elements of a road system.

road network geometry file

A file containing the information of the road network geometry (shapefile, GeoJSON, or similar).

road network metadata

Data associated with road segments as they are defined in the road network geometry. For example, road class, road surface type, address, and similar.

road segment

A unique stretch of road defined in the road network geometry. It goes from point A to point B (intersections, for example). It can be shorter or longer, depending on how it is defined in the geometry. It is a model of the road segment center line and consists of an ordered collection of points.

road segment interval

Road segments are split into regular road segment intervals to report shorter road segments (as opposed to whole road segments).

road surface

The visible top layer of the road analyzed by RoadAI. From left edge to right edge.

road surface condition class

The condition class is a rating from 1 to 5, depending on the condition score. By default, 1 = 0-20%, 2 = 21-40%, etc.

road surface condition score

The condition score indicates the overall condition of the road surface on a scale from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the better the condition.

rutting

Permanent, longitudinal surface depression that occurs in the wheel paths of a flexible asphalt road surface due to the passage of traffic, or possibly caused by weak asphalt mixture.

sealing

Cracks across or along the road that have been filled with specialized adhesive sealant to prevent the intrusion of water and incompressible material into the cracks and to reinforce the adjacent road surface.
Figure 9. Longitudinal sealing
Figure 10. Transverse sealing

spot patching

Small fix of road distress by applying a tack coat of binder or other filler material directly into it to make it even with the rest of the road.

storm drain

Storm drains divert water from the streets and other paved surfaces into the sewers.

structural distress

Distress affecting the road structure. In RoadAI, it is a data overlay combining edge deterioration, alligator cracking and subsidence.

subsidence

Localized depression of the asphalt producing a difference in level.

surface distress

Distress affecting the road surface. In RoadAI, it is a data overlay combining moderate and severe transverse tracking, moderate and severe longitudinal cracking, binder bleeding and severe raveling.

surface marking

Official information conveyed by markings on the road surface.

tag

Labels attached to videos and point objects, such as traffic signs and annotations, for the purpose of identification or to give other additional information.

third-party road asset management system

Third-party system into which RoadAI data (and data from other sources) is uploaded to achieve road maintenance work planning, budgeting, and deterioration modeling.

transverse cracking

Load- or thermally-induced crevices on the road which are perpendicular to the center line (from moderate, about 1 cm, to severe, several centimeters).
Figure 11. Moderate transverse cracking
Figure 12. Severe transverse cracking

wheel track cracking

Combined category of any sort of cracking on the wheel tracks.
Figure 13. Wheel track cracking of alligator cracking type