Which system produces smoother pavements by matching the desired longitudinal grade and transverse slope more closely than a manually controlled screed?

• A. Automatic Screed Controls
• B. Automatic Flow Control
• C. Segregation
• D. Transverse Slope Control

Answer: (A)

Automatic screed controls use sensors to continuously monitor the actual surface grade along the road and the cross-slope across its width, then automatically adjust the screed height, tilt, and even material flow to keep the mat at the target longitudinal grade and transverse slope. By maintaining these targets in real time, the pavement thickness and surface elevation stay consistent, reducing wave and irregularities and producing a smoother finished surface than a manually controlled screed, which relies on the operator’s adjustments and can drift. The result is a more uniform ride quality with fewer surface defects. Automatic flow control handles the rate of asphalt but does not directly regulate grade and slope, segregation is a material defect, and controlling transverse slope alone doesn’t address longitudinal grade.