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"The technology allows the storing of information as fine as every inch of the surface," says Jon Klatt, sales manager for Ames Engineering. "Contractors can view International Roughness Index (IRI) numbers for specific areas in 50-foot increments."

Shively agrees with Klatt on the value of the spec area analysis of the profilers. "They are very helpful tools for conducting the forensics on the road. We can isolate problem areas and give our crews the necessary information to correct the issues," he adds.

While Shelly Company is now sold on the value of using profilers as an in-process tool, it wasn't always. Shively admits the main reason for initially using profilographs years ago was that it was required by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). But the company quickly saw the tool's advantages, and the use of profilers has now expanded to non-ODOT projects such as commercial, city and county paving.

"The use of profilers makes us more aware of the product we are supplying our customer and more conscientious of what influences smoothness," Shively says. He is quick to point out that Shelly Company has always delivered a quality product, but by incorporating profilers into the company's quality control routine, the product is now even better. It helps them achieve bonus level work, and they also have a database of numbers to submit to associations for award consideration in Ohio and on the national level.

Evolution of technology
Nearly a decade ago, paving contractors had only one choice for obtaining the profile of a surface, the profilograph. While these machines would give contractors the necessary profile numbers, they were time consuming to use.