The use of a racetrack hardness measurement system

A self-propelled racetrack hardness measurement and analysis system was dev eloped to systemically measure track hardness and, an dirt tracks, sand dep th, in all locations of a track. With this system, a total of 1,700 point m easurements of hardness and sand thickness around a 1,600-m dirt track 25 m in width can be performed at 5-m intervals within 3 hours. The system produces a hardness and sand thickness distribution graph for an entire racetrack. This distribution graph can help identify sections of gr eater hardness, which tend to be ureas of multiple use (crossover areas) wi th high amounts of maintenance activity or heavy horse or human traffic. The identification of racetrack sections with increased hardness should hel p in effectively planning routine maintenance of the track.