Fiber Optic Sensors (2C)
Fiber Optic Sensor (FOS) technology has long been used for monitoring the condition of structures, but its application in road pavement monitoring is still relatively new. As a result, there is limited experience and knowledge about its full potential. The BEPROACT project explores how this innovative technology can enhance traffic and structural road monitoring - an essential aspect of asset management - while also assessing the effort and costs involved in real-world implementation.
Through several pilots, FOS technology is being evaluated both technically and economically using detailed measurements and assessments. A key opportunity lies in leveraging existing infrastructure on Germany’s A6 motorway, where measurements are taken under real traffic conditions and with specialized monitoring vehicles.
The focus is on detecting vehicle characteristics such as number, axle configurations, and size, as well as measuring their impact on the road surface and monitoring temperature variations within the pavement. Additional large-scale tests are being conducted on model structures at the BASt research site ‘duraBASt’, allowing for controlled 1:1 scale experiments.
This work provides crucial insights into the possibilities and limitations of FOS for smart infrastructure management. It lays the groundwork for future large-scale applications that could transform how we monitor and maintain our roads.
