Missouri Patent of the Month – August 2023
Pre-fabricated, modular pavement slabs have traditionally offered an attractive alternative to continuous pour systems at least because they can be individually removed, repaired and/or replaced with relative ease. However, pre-fabricated, modular pavement slab systems have untapped potential for enabling focused, quick and low-cost maintenance and repair. Integrated Roadways, LLC is bringing this untapped potential to the market with their newly patented modular pavement slab. The design goes beyond the ordinary expectations of road construction and maintenance by introducing embedded self-monitoring and data collection, revolutionizing the way we perceive and manage our roadways.
Integrated Roadways’ modular pavement slab combines ease of maintenance with cutting-edge monitoring capabilities. This inventive system comprises a modular pavement slab equipped with a plethora of advanced features, making it a crucial contender in the world of smart infrastructure.
At its core, this modular pavement slab is not just a static element but a dynamic sensing apparatus. It comes loaded with a strain sensor array that is cleverly embedded within the body of the slab. This array acts as the road’s nervous system, detecting strains induced by vehicular traffic and external forces. The strain sensor array is designed to monitor multiple regions of the slab, offering real-time insights into how the road surface reacts to the stresses it encounters.
The system’s sensor processor takes the data from the strain sensor array and transforms it into actionable insights. This processor can determine a variety of factors – from vehicle speed and direction to weight and even tire pressure. This real-time vehicle monitoring opens up a world of possibilities, from traffic management to safety enhancements.
The system’s communication element connects seamlessly with external systems, enabling a flow of information between modular pavement slabs or broader infrastructure networks. This interconnectedness not only contributes to enhanced road management but also paves the way for a truly smart city infrastructure.
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