# Analysis and Verification Results of Manual Inspection of Pavement Condition Index
## 2 Materials and Methods
### Introduction to Manual Inspection Method
#### 2.4.1 Inspection Procedure  
When conducting pavement damage surveys, the use of appropriate equipment and systems is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable data. Below is the main manual inspection equipment used in this study, along with their corresponding functions:  
1. Manual inspection equipment: The selection and use of appropriate equipment and systems are essential for accurate and reliable data collection. Improper or outdated equipment can lead to inaccurate data, which may affect the overall assessment and subsequent inspections. The primary equipment used in this study includes the following: * Distance measuring wheel: This device is used to precisely measure the length and width of pavement areas. It is particularly useful for assessing the size of cracks, potholes, and other damages. * Leveling staff and tape measure: The leveling staff is used to determine the flatness of the pavement, while the tape measure is used to measure crack depth and other specific dimensions.  
Figure 2: Road inspection details: (**a**) basic road data; (**b**) inspection starting point; (**c**) inspection ending point.  
* Reflective vest and other safety equipment: These ensure the safety of the inspection personnel during fieldwork.
* Smartphone: A smartphone is used to record the identified pavement damage types and document them, uploading the related inspection photos to the cloud for further processing.
* Pavement inspection system: A custom-designed web-based system was developed specifically for comprehensive pavement condition assessment. This system is optimized for mobile use and allows inspectors to perform all inspection tasks on-site using a smartphone. It is used to record distress data, upload geotagged photos, and automatically calculate PCI scores based on standard procedures. The system includes the following components (Figure 3) [2; 9; 10]:
* Damage survey form: Inspectors enter the distress type, severity, and dimensions (length and width) through a mobile-friendly interface. Photos of the pavement condition can also be uploaded directly. All data are synchronized in real time to a secure server.
* Record table: This module displays the full set of historical inspection records, allowing inspectors to query, compare, or export inspection results.
* PCI verification: A verification page compares automatically calculated PCI scores with field data from re-inspections, enhancing reliability and traceability.
* Training content: The training provided in this study focuses on improving the repeatability and accuracy of the manual Pavement Condition Index data. The training includes the following:
* Identification of pavement damage types and severity: Training materials and case studies are used to introduce various types of pavement distress and their impact on pavement quality, with field demonstrations and exercises.
* Measurement of pavement damage area: Proper measurement techniques for cracks, potholes, and other damage types (length, width, and depth) are demonstrated. Practical exercises are provided to ensure accurate measurements.
* Measurement equipment operation: Training on the correct operation of commonly used measurement equipment, ensuring that the inspectors can accurately and reliably use the tools.
* Software application: The use of related inspection software is taught to eliminate the need for paper records, reducing the risk of human error in data entry and calculation. Simulated exercises help inspectors master the software and effectively manage and analyze the data.
* Verification items: This study validates the manual inspection PCI method through three key verification items:
* Inspector verification: Assessing the repeatability and accuracy of inspection results.
* Equipment verification: Ensuring that the equipment measurements meet the required precision standards, with a focus on verifying the accuracy of the distance-measuring wheel.
* Software calculation verification: Comparing the PCI data calculated by the system with results obtained from standard software.