ARRB's new iPAVe boasts world-first technology

The new iPAVe (Intelligent Pavement Assessment Vehicle) – featuring world-first technology - has landed on Australian soil.

ARRB’s third iPAVe measures both functional and structural conditions of pavement at the same time.

It also travels up to 80km/h allowing data to be collected at traffic speed. Together, ARRB's other two iPAVes have collected more than 400,000km of the Australian and NZ road networks combined.

The new iPAVe arrived off a long voyage from Denmark, from Greenwood Engineering, to ARRB’s Port Melbourne headquarters, in late February 2022.

The newest addition to ARRB’s infrastructure measurement fleet features:
   * measures in both left and right wheel paths (using dual beam deflection measurement technology)
   * additional sensors and improved sensor technology
   * smaller reporting intervals
   * improved temperature control system
   * ground penetrating radar

The ability of the new iPAVe to measure in both left and right wheel paths simultaneously is world-first technology, marking the new iPAVe out from its two other siblings which ARRB runs on the road network around Australia and NZ.

Benefits of the new iPAVe:
   * much faster than current deflection measuring devices
   * increased network coverage (collect data faster)
   * lower cost
   * improved safety
   * allows us to make more informed maintenance decisions by removing the guesswork

The new iPAVe will start its work in Queensland – and is expected to be fully operational and on the roads in the Sunshine State some time in April 2022.

You can find more about ARRB’s iPAVe here, and our other survey vehicles here.

 Some footage of the new iPAVe on arrival, ahead of its full fitout.