Comparison

Distress Identification Manual vs Gibraltar Global

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Distress Identification Manual

Access a comprehensive guide for pavement distress identification and evaluation. Learn methods for assessing severity, measuring distresses, and calibrating fault measurement devices for various pavement types.

Highlights
  • Distress Identification Manual access
  • Guidelines for pavement distress evaluation
  • Severity assessment methods
  • Distress measurement techniques
  • Fault measurement device calibration
Read full description

The official mobile companion to the LTPP Distress Identification Manual (DIM) now fully updated to the 6th Edition, published July 2025. Used by pavement raters and reviewers nationwide, the DIM provides a consistent, uniform basis for collecting and reviewing pavement distress data. This 6th Edition incorporates the latest LTPP directives and considerations tied to FHWA's Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). What's inside: - Complete distress definitions, descriptions, and illustrations for all three pavement types: asphalt concrete-surfaced, jointed Portland cement concrete (PCC), and continuously reinforced PCC - Color photographs and reference drawings to help identify and assess distress severity - Methods for measuring distress size and assigning severity levels - Guidance on conducting field distress surveys, from traffic control setup to crack measurement - Sample forms for recording and reporting distress data - Reference material on fault measurement devices Whether you're in the field collecting data or in the office performing quality assurance review, the LTPP Distress Identification Manual app gives you the current, authoritative reference in your pocket — no internet connection required once downloaded.

About

Gibraltar Global

This app provides cable barrier installers with step-by-step instructions for installing the GCBS MASH16 system. It also offers resources for First Responders on safely extricating vehicles and includes features for calculating and saving cable tension records.

Highlights
  • Offline installation instructions
  • Dynamic tension range calculation
  • Save and export tension records
  • 3D installation animations
  • First Responder extrication guide
  • FAQ section
Features
Read full description

This app, designed for cable barrier installers, demonstrates the proper installation of the GCBS MASH16 cable barrier system in an easy to follow, step-by-step process. The app also includes an area specifically for First Responders who need to safely extricate a vehicle from the system. Download the app to: - View these instructions offline - Dynamically calculate the appropriate tension range for a cable given the temperature - Save tension records - Export and share tension records - View 3D animations of the installation process - View installation guides - View answers to FAQs - Get in touch and share feedback about the system Gibraltar Cable Barrier Systems was founded in 2005 with a goal of designing the safest, most efficient & cost-effective cable barrier system on the market.

Screenshots

Distress Identification Manual4 screens
Gibraltar Global4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Gibraltar Global at 5.0 against Distress Identification Manual's 3.5. Distress Identification Manual's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gibraltar Global holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Distress Identification Manual ships an update every 2 months, Gibraltar Global every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Distress Identification Manual versus Gibraltar Global: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDistress Identification ManualGibraltar Global
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.114.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB67 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiENGINEERING CorporationGibraltar Global

Customer experience

Distress Identification Manual

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

Gibraltar Global

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Distress Identification Manual

No in-app purchases

None

Gibraltar Global

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Distress Identification Manual free?
Distress Identification Manual is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gibraltar Global free?
Gibraltar Global is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Distress Identification Manual or Gibraltar Global?
Gibraltar Global is rated higher. Distress Identification Manual averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Gibraltar Global averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Distress Identification Manual or Gibraltar Global have ads?
Neither Distress Identification Manual nor Gibraltar Global shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Distress Identification Manual or Gibraltar Global?
Distress Identification Manual ships an update every 2 months, and Gibraltar Global every 3 months. Most recently, Distress Identification Manual was updated on October 24, 2026 and Gibraltar Global on October 24, 2026.

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