The Aurora Consortium is a joint program of collaborative research, evaluation and deployment of advanced technologies for detailed road weather monitoring and forecasting. Members seek to implement advanced road and weather information systems that fully integrate state-of-the-art roadway and weather forecasting technologies. Many agencies use various models of in-ground and mobile sensors to measure pavement temperature. However, little documentation exists on the accuracy of the various sensors, and there is no standard methodology for sensor testing. The data and conclusions drawn from this study are published so that Aurora members and others will have additional information to assist in their implementation and procurement decisions. Additionally, results from this study will be used by the NCHRP to develop testing and calibration standards for pavement sensors. The objective of this project was to conduct both laboratory and field studies of various competing models of in-pavement (contact) and mobile (non-contact) type pavement temperature sensors and compare them to baseline readings in order to quantify the surface temperature measurement performance of each sensor and sensor type. The laboratory tests were conducted at the Braun Intertec laboratory in Bloomington, Minnesota. Field tests were conducted at the Minnesota Department of Transportation's (Mn/DOT's) Mn/ROAD facility near Monticello, Minnesota.
