Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring the load bearing capacity of a surface by continuously transporting a known load along the surface and measuring the resulting deformation thereof. In one embodiment a contactless laser transducer is mounted directly in front of and behind a loaded wheel for measuring the elevation of the surface before and after the load. A computer determines the difference between the measured elevations which is indicative of the load bearing capacity of the surface. Conventional recording, display, and storage equipment are provided for recording, displaying, and storing the elevation values and the corresponding differences. The load velocity and longitudinal position may also be determined and stored with the corresponding elevation and difference values.