IRITracker Road Roughness Monitor – Support & Manual
Record road roughness and estimate IRI on iPhone; review, filter and compare routes, export GIS data and create final PDF reports on iPhone, iPad and compatible Mac.
IRITracker Road Roughness Monitor is an application for Apple iPhone, iPad and compatible Mac computers. It is designed for visual monitoring, documentation and analysis of roughness on paved roads.
On iPhone, IRITracker uses the phone’s motion sensors and GPS data to estimate the International Roughness Index (IRI) along the driven route. The result is a colour-coded roughness map. Route recording and optional full-route video are available on iPhone.
On iPad and compatible Mac computers, IRITracker provides a more spacious interface for working with large log collections. You can display all available or filtered routes together on one map, filter logs by date, name or map area, review and edit logs, compare surveys, prepare reports, import and export data, and merge logs. Road recording and full-route video are available only on iPhone.
IRITracker Road Roughness Monitor is designed for:
• road construction and maintenance contractors;
• site engineers and foremen;
• quality control and supervision teams;
• municipal road maintenance services;
• survey crews documenting road condition.
Typical use cases:
• preliminary assessment of pavement roughness on newly built or repaired roads;
• documenting bumps, potholes and uneven areas before and after maintenance;
• comparing repeated surveys and monitoring changes over time;
• preparing visual evidence, structured exports and final PDF reports.
Disclaimer
IRITracker is not a certified measurement instrument. It is an indicative monitoring and documentation tool that helps identify potential roughness issues on paved roads. For official acceptance tests, use certified equipment and methods required by the applicable regulations.
1. Safety and preparation
The driver must not operate IRITracker while the vehicle is moving. Use a passenger as the survey operator, or make changes only after stopping safely.
• Secure the iPhone firmly in the vehicle. Do not move or rotate it during a survey.
• Close other apps that may use GPS or perform heavy background activity.
• Enable Location Services and allow access to location and motion data.
• If full-route video is enabled, check camera and microphone permissions.
• Check available storage, battery level and device temperature before a long survey.
2. Two types of calibration
Background vibration calibration
This calibration records the vibration produced by the vehicle while stationary.
• Park safely on a level surface.
• Keep the engine running at idle.
• Fix the phone in the same mount and position that will be used during logging.
• Start the background vibration calibration and wait until it finishes.
• Save and use the appropriate calibration for that vehicle.
IRI calibration using a reference route
This calibration determines coefficient K for converting the app’s Ride Comfort Index (RCI) into International Roughness Index (IRI).
• Use a route with a known reference IRI.
• Record a test log at a steady speed with the same vehicle and phone mounting.
• Enter the reference IRI and the RCI measured by IRITracker.
• The app calculates coefficient K for RCI → IRI conversion.
Background vibration calibration and coefficient K serve different purposes. For comparable surveys, use the same vehicle, mounting position, calibration and coefficient K.
3. Starting and saving a log
• Open the app and wait until the GPS position becomes stable.
• Press Start.
• Drive at a stable speed. Approximately 45 km/h is recommended when permitted and safe.
• Avoid hard braking, aggressive acceleration, sudden steering and unnecessary lane changes.
• Press Stop at the end of the survey.
• Save the log with a meaningful name, for example project, road, direction, lane, date and run number.
4. Long routes and log series
The maximum length of one log is 5 km (3 miles) in the Free version. With IRITracker Premium, the configured maximum can be set up to 15 km (10 miles).
When “Automatically start the next log” is enabled, the app saves the current part at the selected limit and starts the next log automatically. A series can contain up to 11 logs: one initial log and ten continuations. At the maximum Premium setting, a complete series can cover up to 165 km (110 miles).
5. Phone temperature and automatic protection
IRITracker displays the system thermal state as OK, Warm, Hot or Critical.
• During logging, the app may reduce screen brightness to limit additional heating.
• At Hot or Critical, the live camera preview is hidden. Full-route video recording itself can continue.
• A new log cannot be started while the phone is in the Critical state.
• If Critical remains active for five minutes during recording, IRITracker automatically stops the log, ends the current series and saves the collected data.
• The app then displays the name of the saved log.
Allow the device to cool before continuing. Direct sunlight, full-route video and charging can increase heat.
6. Full-route video
Full-route video is optional and available only while recording on iPhone.
The video is synchronised with the route, allowing the operator to review the relevant moment for a segment and select a frame for chainage records or reports. Merged logs can retain several source route videos.
Camera permission is required. If microphone access is granted, route video may also contain audio. The survey crew is responsible for complying with applicable privacy and recording rules.
7. Viewing, editing and comparing logs
• Open the Logs panel and select a log.
• Review the colour-coded route and tap a segment to inspect it.
• Add photographs, videos and comments to document defects.
• Trim the start or finish of a log when necessary.
• Review or change the per-log coefficient K.
• Pin one log and open another to compare two surveys on the same screen, for example before and after repair.
8. Filtering the log list
Filters can narrow the list by date, name and map location.
• DATE: set From and/or To.
• NAME: select one or several names. “All names” removes the name restriction. Parts of one log series are associated with their base name.
• Apply the selected filters with the checkmark.
• Use the red cross to reset the filters.
On iPad and Mac, all available or filtered routes can be displayed together on one map. In map selection mode, tap a route to select it, or long-press and drag to draw a selection box around several routes. Tapping a displayed route selects the corresponding log in the list. Map selection can also be used when choosing logs to merge.
9. Run description and chainage
Open a log, select Edit and open the chainage/run-description tab.
• Enter the lane name if required.
• Select the chainage direction: increasing 0→10 or decreasing 10→0.
• Enter the starting kilometre post or milepost.
• Open the chainage list and choose “Add chainage marker”.
• Select the required route segment.
• If route video is available, select the relevant video frame.
• Enter the chainage value and save the marker.
Changes are saved with the save button or when moving to another segment. Deleting a marker removes only that chainage record; the route and video remain in the log. Chainage, direction, notes and selected frames can be included in the final report.
10. Import
Use Import to add an IRITracker log received from another device.
• .iritlog imports one log.
• .iritpack imports a package containing several logs.
• If a log with the same name already exists, the app can import the incoming log as a separately named copy.
11. IRITracker Export
IRITracker Export creates one .iritlog file from the selected log. Use it to transfer an editable log to another device running IRITracker or to keep a backup of the source log and its associated data.
12. Package Export
Package Export allows several logs to be selected and combined into one .iritpack file. Use it to transfer a project, survey series or group of logs together.
13. Universal Export
Universal Export creates a ZIP archive for external analysis, GIS and tabular workflows. It includes:
• Summary, Segments and Path CSV files;
• route and coloured-segment KML files;
• segment GeoJSON;
• fixed-length 100 m sections;
• independently calculated fixed-length 0.1 mile sections;
• a ReadMe explaining the files and units.
CSV files can be opened in Excel, Numbers or Google Sheets. KML is suitable for Google Earth. GeoJSON can be used in QGIS, ArcGIS and kepler.gl. Exported IRI values include the log’s coefficient K.
14. PDF Report
Create a report from the Reports panel and review it in Preview before generating the PDF.
A report can include the route map, distance, speed, RCI and IRI, coefficient K, editable quality thresholds, automatically identified or manually selected segments of concern, chainage, notes, photographs, video evidence, selected route-video frames and the instant displacement graph.
The PDF report is the final reporting document and the consolidated outcome of the work performed by the IRITracker application and the survey crew. It is intended for review, documentation and sharing.
If the source log changes after a report is created, the report may be marked OUTDATED and should be updated.
15. Free and Premium access
In the Free version, monthly limits are counted separately for each restricted action: up to 3 video logs, 3 log series, 3 PDF reports, 3 IRITracker exports, 3 Package Exports, 3 Universal Exports and 3 log merges per month.
IRITracker Premium removes these monthly limits, enables the full configured log length and provides the option to hide partner information. Monthly and yearly plans, offer-code redemption and Restore Purchases are available through the App Store.
16. Recommended survey practice
For repeatable before/after comparisons, use the same vehicle, phone mount, orientation, lane, direction, approximate speed, calibration and coefficient K.
If IRITracker reports accelerometer anomalies, check the phone mounting and selected calibration. Re-record the affected survey when reliable comparison is required.
Logs, reports and media are stored locally on the device. Export important logs or packages before deleting the app, changing devices or removing source data.
Q: What is IRI?
A: IRI (International Roughness Index) is a standardised indicator of road surface roughness. IRITracker uses motion-sensor and GPS data to estimate relative IRI values along the driven route.
Q: How accurate are the IRI values?
A: IRITracker is intended for indicative monitoring and documentation. Results depend on the vehicle, suspension, phone mounting, calibration, coefficient K, speed and driving style. Certified equipment and required procedures must be used for official acceptance measurements.
Q: Which devices are supported?
A: Route recording and optional full-route video are available on iPhone. iPhone and iPad require iOS/iPadOS 17.6 or later. IRITracker can also be installed on compatible Mac computers. iPad and Mac provide a larger interface for reviewing, filtering, editing, comparing, reporting, importing, exporting and merging logs.
Q: What is different about the Mac interface?
A: The Mac interface is designed for larger log collections and a wider map workspace. It can display all available or filtered routes together on one map, making it easier to review a complete surveyed area and select logs for further work.
Q: Do I need an internet connection?
A: GPS logging, IRI calculation, log viewing, editing and PDF generation work offline. Internet access may be needed for online map content, App Store subscription operations and sharing files through email, messaging or cloud services. IRITracker does not upload logs to its own servers.
Q: Why must the phone be firmly fixed?
A: Movement of the phone relative to the vehicle distorts the vibration data. Use a rigid mount and do not move or rotate the phone during a log.
Q: Does phone orientation matter?
A: The initial orientation may be portrait, landscape or rotated, but it must remain unchanged throughout the log. Use the same orientation and mounting position for comparable surveys.
Q: What is the difference between background vibration calibration and coefficient K?
A: Background vibration calibration records vibration produced by the stationary vehicle with the engine idling. Coefficient K is calculated using a route with a known reference IRI and converts the app’s RCI into IRI. They are separate calibration steps and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Q: What is the maximum route length?
A: A single log can be up to 5 km (3 miles) in the Free version and up to 15 km (10 miles) with IRITracker Premium. With “Automatically start the next log” enabled, a series can contain up to 11 logs: one initial log and ten continuations. At the maximum Premium setting, the complete series can cover up to 165 km (110 miles). Monthly limits for creating series apply in the Free version.
Q: What do OK, Warm, Hot and Critical mean?
A: These are the phone’s system thermal states. IRITracker may reduce screen brightness while recording. At Hot or Critical, live camera preview is hidden. A new log cannot start at Critical. If Critical continues for five minutes during recording, the app stops the log, ends the series and saves the collected data.
Q: Does Hot stop full-route video?
A: No. At Hot or Critical, the live preview is hidden to reduce load, but full-route video recording can continue. A sustained Critical state can stop the entire log after five minutes.
Q: Can full-route video contain audio?
A: Yes, when microphone permission is granted. The survey crew is responsible for following applicable privacy and recording requirements.
Q: How do log filters work?
A: Open Filters and select a From/To date range, one or more log names, or map-based selection on iPad and Mac. Apply with the checkmark. The red cross resets the filters. On iPad and Mac, tap individual routes or long-press and drag a box around several routes. All matching routes are displayed together on the map.
Q: How do I add chainage or a kilometre post?
A: Open the selected log in Edit, switch to the chainage/run-description tab, choose the increasing or decreasing direction and enter the starting chainage. Open the chainage list, add a marker, select a route segment and optional video frame, enter the value and save it. The marker can then be included in the report.
Q: What is the difference between the export options?
A: IRITracker Export creates one .iritlog file. Package Export creates one .iritpack containing several selected logs. Universal Export creates CSV, KML and GeoJSON datasets, including fixed 100 m and 0.1 mile sections, for GIS and external analysis. PDF Report creates the final reporting document.
Q: What is the PDF report?
A: The PDF report is the final reporting document and the consolidated outcome of the work performed by the IRITracker application and the survey crew. It can combine calculated results, the route map, selected problem segments, chainage, notes, photographs, video evidence and graphs.
Q: Why is a report marked OUTDATED?
A: The source log was changed after that report was created. Open the report preview, review the current data and update the report.
Q: What are the Free monthly limits?
A: The limits are counted separately: up to 3 video logs, 3 log series, 3 PDF reports, 3 IRITracker exports, 3 Package Exports, 3 Universal Exports and 3 log merges per month. Ordinary non-video log recording is not described as a three-log monthly limit.
Q: How do I restore Premium?
A: Open Subscription in Settings and select Restore Purchases using the same Apple Account. If Premium is already active, the subscription screen displays the current access and renewal or expiration information.
Q: Can I attach photos, videos and comments?
A: Yes. Media and notes can be attached to relevant segments to document bumps, potholes, cracks, ruts or other observations.
Q: How can I send logs to a colleague?
A: Use IRITracker Export for one log or Package Export for several logs, then share the resulting file through the available system sharing options. The recipient can import the file into IRITracker.
Q: Where is my data stored?
A: Logs, reports and media are stored locally on the device unless the user chooses to export or share them. Keep backup exports before deleting the app, changing devices or removing important logs.
If you have questions, technical issues or suggestions for improvement, please contact us:
Email support: smoothroads.sup@gmail.com
When contacting support, please include:
• app name and version;
• device type and model (iPhone, iPad or Mac);
• iOS, iPadOS or macOS version;
• a brief description of the problem;
• screenshots or a short video, if available.
App Store page:
https://apps.apple.com/app/iritracker-road-roughness/id6755638289
apps.apple.com/app/iritracker-road-roughness/id6755638289