TotalPave Talk

TotalPave Talk #1: Line Segments

A quick overview of how TotalPave maps PCI and IRI data to road line segments, and why consistent segments make it easier to track condition changes over time.

January 29, 2021 | 2 minute read

Summary

This TotalPave Talk explains how road condition data is mapped to line segments in a TotalPave account. It covers where those segments come from, how PCI and IRI results are matched to them, and why keeping segment geometry consistent year to year is important for tracking network condition over time.

In this article

Key takeaways

Data maps to fixed segments

PCI and IRI data are automatically matched to predefined road line segments.

Segments support year-over-year tracking

Keeping segment geometry consistent makes it easier to compare condition changes over time.

Static lines create better history

A stable segment network helps preserve the long-term value of collected road condition data.

How TotalPave uses line segments

In this TotalPave Talk, we show how data is mapped to line segments in your TotalPave account and how that allows you to track changes in road condition over time.

The road segments that appear in your TotalPave asset management account are created using GIS road centreline files from your existing GIS system. If you do not have GIS files available, TotalPave can also help source or create those lines for you.

All PCI and IRI data collected in the field is automatically matched with one of these pre-set line segments. This gives each road section a consistent location in the account where condition data can be stored, reviewed, and compared.

Why consistent segments matter

The network of lines automatically regenerates each year, but the location and geometry of the line segments remain the same as the year before.

Using the same sections year after year allows you to evaluate how the condition of an individual segment, or your network as a whole, is changing over time.

If the location and geometry of your line segments are constantly changing, the data collected each year becomes limited to that single year’s use. There is no clean way to relate one year’s dataset back to another if the underlying road sections keep changing.

Tracking condition over time

When your line segments remain relatively constant, it becomes much easier to view and predict the progression of your network condition.

This is important for long-term pavement management because the value of condition data increases when it can be compared against previous years. Static segments help create a cleaner historical record and make it easier to see whether roads are improving, declining, or staying the same.

A simple but important feature

The way TotalPave maps data to specific line segments is a simple feature, but it is also an important one.

Understanding how your assets are changing in condition over time is foundational to effective road asset management. A static segment environment makes that process easier, cleaner, and more useful for long-term planning.

We hope you enjoyed this TotalPave Talk. Let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to suggest a topic for a future video.

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Need practical road condition data?

Tell us about your network, project, or current data collection process. We can help you determine the right setup for IRI, PCI, imagery review, or pavement planning.

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