The second advantage of the ground penetrating radar is that is a continuous imaging system that can be driven around the track to put together a complete picture of the compaction in the soil (as shown above). Combining both the ground penetrating radar with the impact systems allows for a complete evaluation of a racetrack providing both the big picture and a means to evaluate the forces placed on the horse in particular regions of the track.
Ground Penetrating Radar System:
The advantages: The ground penetrating radar system provides the big picture. The primary limitation of the impact test system is that, although it provides the specific forces that a horse would experience at a particular point on the track, it does not tell you which part of the track to evaluate. The radar provides a means to view variations in the subsurface compaction in the soil. This picture of the compaction illustrates problem areas and variations in the track.
degree of compaction in the soil. If the soil is highly compacted the resultant force is quite high (like landing on concrete). However, if very little compaction exists then the landing could be quite soft. Substantial variations in this hardness and softness can place extremely variable degrees of force on the racehorse with every step. With a high degree of variability in this level of compaction, a substantially increased probability of injury also exists because the horse cannot compensate and/or adjust for the impact.