Linux Hits the Road

An anonymous reader writes "Vicroads does regular surveys of the roads in Victoria, Australia, to determine where they need to be patched or otherwise repaired. It used to be done in a vehicle travelling at 20 kph: slow, tedious, and hazardous to the traffic around it. Now, thanks to Linux, it's being done at speeds of 80 to 100 kph. The Melbourne Age has the details. Short version: the cost has fallen from $1.2 million Australian to $850,000. Not bad..."

You know it's late...

[kgarcia]

Does it also map roadkill streaks?

BFD

[hazman]

Short version: the cost has fallen from $1.2 million Australian to $850,000. Not bad..."

So what. So they saved $36.83US. What's the big deal?

best line

[b17bmbr]

It was expected that the solution would be one involving Windows and written in Visual Basic...I don't think that I would have undertaken a task like this, where a computer is on the road, using anything but a robust operating system.

hey steve, start booking that flight!!!

Penguin

[olderchurch]

I like the title of the pictures:
The penguin road patrol

favorite comment

[skydude_20]

just to make sure we all understand the proper terminology:
the road ahead (what is technically called the pavement)

Unfortuante name choice...

[drayzel]

"...LINServo to capture and rate the video footage and PMSVideo for clients to look at the finished footage..."

I have 6 sisters, PMSVideo is not something I'd like to see. It sounds like a really horrible fetish video.

But then again after reading other details...

"...so far generated about 1.3 terabytes of video footage..."
"...Due to limitations of the Linux firewire drivers, only 896 meg of RAM gets used..."
"...we took out the air-conditioner and added a second alternator..." YIKES!

I can maybe see why it was named as such!

~Z

Re:RTOS?

[Anonymous Coward]

In NSW would they be using RTA-OS ? (for non-Aussies, RTA is the Roads and Traffic Authority)

Re:Map makin'?

[dattaway]

The problem with mapping potholes is that they are always in development. Patches often are applied, but they brake things. Sound familiar?

PMS?

[poptones]

Pavement Management System? Penguin Movie System?

What an unfortunate acronym. Maybe when they get an editor put together they can call it STD Edit.

moronic statement

[Alien Being]

"In any case, I don't think that I would have undertaken a task like this, where a computer is on the road, using anything but a robust operating system."

I realize that MSWindows has a zillion bugs, but I never knew that its bits could shake loose from going over bumps.

Re:Go figure

[Anonymous Coward]

From the article:
"My experience with Windows is limited."

Were it not so, he would be able to join the rest of us in saying:
"My experience with Windows is limiting."

scary experience...

[canning]

"It was a scary experience when we got to the South Australian border and had a power supply in the PC fail," said Arya.

Sounthern Australia border?? I would assume that all that water wouldn't be good for them either.

And they can keep them...

[Spittles]

Linux mapping out our roads... SCO can probably lay claim to the speed-humps.

I can back this up..

[slackingme]

I'm actually one of the guys operating these things (and that suggested Linux in the first place.) It's awesome to see Linux keeping up with its "cheaper, faster, and better" attitude.

We're so impressed with Linux, we're running one rig at >110 with 2.6.0-test3. We'll save hundreds of thousands of dollars more. It even has 802.11g, as I'm typing this ri--*eerrrrrrrrrr* *sqqqqqueeeeeellll* *BOOM*

*BANG*

*CRASH*

Re:But where will this technology go from here?

[ColaMan]

Or perhaps a accelerometer input on an axle to register potholes. Actually , a pretty good gauge of road surface (gravel size etc) could be sensed with a decent accelerometer, as long as your tyres are fairly well pumped up.

(Car hits pothole - ka-THUNK!!!!)

Computer : Crikey! Didja feel that!?! Stone the flamin' crows, who was the bushwhacker that built this goat-track? Strewth!!

(Computer makes note of position for future reference.)

That way, subtle potholes (eg small depressions in road with no sharp edges) could be picked up fairly well.

And I hold the patent for "a method for use of Australian Slang to accurately measure and describe road defects", so no getting any ideas ;-)

Re:scary experience...

[aspeer]

Yep, We are really original here. Once Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania were named it must of been pretty close to beer o'clock. You can imagine the conversation:

Pioneer 1: So, we have two states left, one in the South and one in the West. Ideas ?

Pioneer 2: South Australia and Western Australia - now for *^%* sake lets hit the pub.

Pioneer 1: I like it. Lets go.

Server slashdotted

[stevenp]

Slashdot [slashdot.org] does regular surveys of the WEB servers in Victoria, Australia and other places, to determine where they need to be patched or otherwise repaired. The method (slashdotting) is simple and reliable and is also known as "brute force", DDOS and "who has more bandwith, you or we?".

Linux Saves the Day

[awebus]

The revolutionary new pavement defect detecting system has also made waves with its bold choice of transportation. Pavement management services were originally going to use a 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero, however after consulting with the team's driver James Smith, they decided to go with an older model Holden Jackaroo.

"My experience with Mitsubishis is limited. I have been a Holden driver since 1993 and I have considerable experience driving their vehicles," Smith said. "In any case, I don't think that I would have undertaken a task like this, where a car is on the road, using anything but a familiar vehicle."