5.1 This test method establishes procedures for collecting elevation and distance data of longitudinal and transverse profiles on a traveled surface.

5.2 Results of this test are used primarily to:

5.2.1 Evaluate the roughness of traveled surfaces, using any of several roughness indices shown in Table 1. Equations required for calculations of various indexes are contained in references shown in Table 1.

Note 1: When this test is used to evaluate the compliance of a new pavement surface with contract roughness specifications, the timeliness of the test in relation to the date of the surface's installation is of critical importance. Since most portland cement concrete surfaces will change shape within a few days after installation-due to changes in thermal and moisture gradients which cause curling at joints and cracks and slab edges-for contractor quality control only, it may be desirable to gather profile data within 72 h after pavement installation.

5.2.2 Investigate the effect of different construction methods on resulting pavement surface roughness.

5.2.3 Investigate the curvature of (1) pavement surfaces due to curling, and (2) deflection of structural members within bridges and other structures.

5.2.4 Identify the locations in need of corrective grinding.

5.2.5 Measure rut depth using computer simulation in accordance with Test Method E1703/E1703M.