ASTM E950/E950M-22 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E950/E950M-22 — Standard Test Method for Measuring the Longitudinal Profile of Traveled Surfaces. This device‑independent test method specifies procedures for producing and comparing longitudinal elevation profiles of vehicular traveled surfaces to assess profile accuracy, repeatability, and suitability for applications such as pavement smoothness and certification of profiling equipment. The inertial (vehicle‑based) profiler is used as the primary example device; cellular phone–based road rating devices are explicitly excluded.

Abstract

This standard describes how to obtain and evaluate longitudinal surface elevation profiles produced by profiling systems, including test setup, filtering, comparison methods (notably cross‑correlation), and criteria for precision, bias, and repeatability. It supports the validation or certification of candidate production profilers by comparison to a reference profiler and defines requirements for use of appropriate filtering (for example, the IRI filter) and units (SI or inch‑pound) for specific applications.

General information

• Status: Active
• Publication date: November 1, 2022
• Publisher: ASTM International
• ICS / categories: 93.080.20 (Road construction materials)
• Edition / version: E950/E950M-22
• Number of pages: 8

Scope

Specifies a uniform method for measuring the longitudinal profile of traveled surfaces using any profiling device capable of producing a suitable elevation profile, with procedures for comparing candidate profilers to a reference profiler. The standard covers data acquisition, filtering (including use of International Roughness Index filtering where applicable), cross‑correlation comparison techniques, and evaluation of precision, bias, and repeatability for pavement‑profile measurements. It excludes smartphone‑based road rating devices and does not address every safety consideration associated with field use.

Key topics and requirements

• Device‑independent measurement approach (vehicle‑based inertial profilers used as examples).
• Use of appropriate filtering (e.g., IRI filter) to obtain wavelength content relevant to the application.
• Cross‑correlation method for comparing candidate and reference profiles to determine precision and bias.
• Criteria and procedures for assessing repeatability and accuracy of profiling systems.
• Definition of roles: Reference profiler (reference class) versus candidate/production profiler.
• Explicit exclusion of cellular phone–based profiling/road‑rating devices.
• Separate treatment of SI and inch‑pound units — values in each system are to be used independently.

Typical use and users

Used by transportation agencies, pavement management and condition assessment teams, equipment manufacturers and vendors of profiling systems, independent calibration and certification laboratories, contractors performing pavement acceptance testing, and consulting engineers assessing pavement smoothness or certifying profiling equipment.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include prior editions of ASTM E950/E950M (2009, 2018) and practice/ certification documents such as AASHTO R56 (Standard Practice for Certification of Inertial Profiling Systems). The standard is intended to be compatible with practices used for inertial profiler certification and pavement roughness evaluation.

Keywords

longitudinal profile, inertial profiler, profilometer, pavement profile, International Roughness Index (IRI), cross‑correlation, precision and bias, repeatability, profiler certification, traveled surface, profiling device.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E950/E950M-22 is a test method that defines how to measure and compare longitudinal elevation profiles of traveled surfaces to evaluate profiling system performance and to support certification or validation of profiling equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement procedures, data filtering (including IRI filtering where applicable), profile comparison methods (notably cross‑correlation), and evaluation of accuracy, precision, bias, and repeatability for profiling systems. It also clarifies acceptable device types and units of measure.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Transportation agencies, pavement engineers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, consultants, and independent laboratories involved in pavement profiling, smoothness evaluation, and profiler certification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022 edition (E950/E950M-22) is the current active version, superseding earlier editions (including 2009 and 2018 revisions).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ASTM family of standards addressing pavement and profiling measurement practices; it follows earlier ASTM E950/E950M editions and is commonly used alongside related certification practices such as AASHTO R56.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Longitudinal profile, inertial profiler, IRI, cross‑correlation, profilometer, precision, bias, repeatability, profiler certification, pavement smoothness.