Intelligent compaction systems comprising onboard accelerometers and other sensors are offered by a number of manufacturers of compaction equipment, however, it remains that the majority of vibratory roller compactors are not equipped with sensors. The aim of these systems is to provide feedback (via intelligent compaction measurement values or ICMVs) to the operator to establish when the compacted materials have reached a sufficient level of compaction.  As noted by Ranasinghe et al (2023) "Over the past few decades, various field studies have been undertaken to develop correlations between ICMVs and material density; however, an acceptable correlation has not yet been demonstrated for road materials."

As noted, these intelligent compaction systems are all based on onboard sensors. The PDM³ offers an alternative approach based on remote and non-contact measurement of roller performance. The PDM³ system provides an opportunity for independent spot-checking of vibratory compaction performance.  The PDM³ measurements can be used for batch area approval. The system can output the following compaction characteristics, some of which are not possible with on-board systems.

• roller compactor speed

• amplitude of vibration

• vibration frequency and peak compaction force

• layer compaction for each pass *

• total layer compaction

• pavement stiffness

• low-strain modulus of subgrade and pavement (advanced)

* The layer compaction for each pass is a critical measure for compaction control, not available with other systems.