Roadlab
Highlights
- Beta version of the mobile app was released within 4 months
- Compatible with over 85% of Android and iOS devices
- 92% accuracy of IRI measurements compared to high-end laser profilers
- Used by engineering agencies and research team around the world, including Australia, Austria, India, Uganda, and the USA
Client
The World Bank selected SoftTeco for expert assistance in building a mobile application after conducting comprehensive research of potential vendors. As part of its investment program, the organization aims to improve transport infrastructure in developing countries to increase logistics efficiency.
Challenge
The World Bank conducted a scientific research project to support its investments in transport infrastructure. As part of this initiative, they sought to develop a mobile application to measure road quality across the country and collect real-time data for analysis. The organization approached SoftTeco to develop such bespoke software from scratch.
Solution
SoftTeco provided full-cycle mobile app development for RoadLab, including requirements clarification, business analysis, technical design, quality assurance, implementation and ongoing technical support.
The solution allows users to autonomously collect, analyze, and transfer road data to cloud storage while driving. By leveraging data from the device’s gyroscope (acceleration vector) and GPS chip (latitude, longitude, and altitude), the app performs precise IRI calculations. If the road contains unusual sections, like potholes, bumps, or segments with a special surface, the user can manually adjust parameters for those locations to ensure the measurement results remain accurate.
All collected data can be uploaded to dedicated servers for further analysis or exported in various geo-formats, ensuring compatibility with existing workflows. Tailored specifically for road engineering agencies in developing countries, the application provides reliable, actionable road quality reports that help improve infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Tech stack
How it works
RoadLab is a mobile application designed from scratch for Android and iOS devices for accurate, cost-effective road quality measurement. Unlike laser profilers, which are expensive, slow, and require knowledgeable operators, the solution operates without special equipment or training. The Android version supports the largest number of devices and autonomously collects gyroscope, accelerometer, and GPS data, saves it locally, and automatically uploads it to the server when WiFi or cellular data becomes available.
The iOS version includes the same features as the Android one. Due to varying gyroscope frequencies across devices, SoftTeco has adjusted the algorithm to ensure consistent data collection across all supported devices. This allows researchers to reliably use a combination of smartphones without jeopardizing the measurement accuracy.
Our team also created a mathematical model to calculate IRI in collaboration with Progress Analytics LLC and researchers from Virginia Tech. For this, we:
- Analyzed the data provided by the gyroscope
- Created project documentation
- Developed a prototype for mathematical model testing
- Conducted calibration tests on 4 road sections and 3 vehicle suspension types
- Adjusted the mathematical model based on the collected data
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These steps ensure that measurements are accurate across different conditions. The final model achieved 92% IRI accuracy compared to road surface laser profilers commonly used by road engineering agencies.
During app development, our team built the backend in Java using EclipseLink ORM, Maven for builds, and Guice for business logic. PostgreSQL serves as the database and is hosted on the same server. This combination of technologies allows for the processing of large volumes of data with minimal errors and support costs.
Results
SoftTeco has successfully created and updated the RoadLab solution, delivering all necessary enhancements on time and in line with the сlient requirements:
- Version RoadLabPro 2016 for Android and iOS. We added integration with third-party services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, to make it easier to export calculated data. Additionally, our developers enhanced the algorithm and mathematical model of the app for better performance.
- Version RoadLabPro 2018. We incorporated a few special technical features into the solution requested by road engineers to make it more tailored to their needs.
We are proud to have contributed to this scientific and technological project by delivering a highly accurate road quality measurement system used worldwide.
