A Cost-Effective Positioning Solution for Asphalt Rollers Based on Low-Cost DGPS Receivers

As of today, the DGPS-based Computer Integrated Road Construction systems for compaction support require high investments (about 50% of total machine cost), mostly due to the high cost of the positioning equipment. Worksite tests show that the majority of the compaction errors are serious omissions of the compaction plan. The article discusses the accuracy requirements and implementation structure of a cost-effective system based on the low-cost DGPS receivers, aimed at detection and correction of the major compaction errors. First results of the experimental validation confirm the feasibility of the approach. The full-scale implementation is currently under development and scheduled for worksite tests. The availability of cost-effective and robust positioning solutions should improve the acceptance of the DGPS-based compaction support systems.