1. Mobile LiDAR Scanning
A typical task in the operation of the road network is the development of traffic management projects and the creation of technical passports for motorways. To solve them, it is necessary to collect accurate spatial data. As a rule, the most effective way to obtain such information is aerial photography. However, there is an alternative approach - mobile laser scanning. This method can be used in conjunction with aerial photography, or independently, if aerial photography is not possible.
Mobile laser scanning (MLS) is performed on a vehicle with a laser scanner and satellite geodetic equipment installed. Thus, the resulting cloud of laser reflection points has a precise geographic reference. Examples of MLS and aerial photography results are shown in the illustration below. On the left is a fragment of an orthophotoplan, on the right is the same area in the form of a dense point cloud.
1. Mobile LiDAR Scanning
A typical task in the operation of the road network is the development of traffic management projects and the creation of technical passports for motorways. To solve them, it is necessary to collect accurate spatial data. As a rule, the most effective way to obtain such information is aerial photography. However, there is an alternative approach - mobile laser scanning. This method can be used in conjunction with aerial photography, or independently, if aerial photography is not possible.
Mobile laser scanning (MLS) is performed on a vehicle with a laser scanner and satellite geodetic equipment installed. Thus, the resulting cloud of laser reflection points has a precise geographic reference. Examples of MLS and aerial photography results are shown in the illustration below. On the left is a fragment of an orthophotoplan, on the right is the same area in the form of a dense point cloud.
Let's compare both methods and name their main features.
Aerial surveying
- Performance of up to 150 km of road with one UAV per day
- Orthomosaic with all road infrastructure elements captured in high-detail (<10 cm per pixel)
- Spatial positioning of any object down to 10 cm
Mobile LiDAR scanning
- Performance of 100-200 km with one car per day
- Dense LiDAR point cloud, covering everything within a 150 m radius from the scanner
- Spatial positioning of any object down to 5-7 cm
Among other differences, it is worth noting the following advantages of MLS. There is no need to obtain flight permits. It is possible to do scanning at night. You get accurate elevation of objects and slopes. However, this technology also has some limitations. The width of the capture strip is 80-150 meters and depends on the surrounding terrain. Data processing is more complex and time-consuming than with aerial surveying. As a result, one kilometer of MLS surveying costs approximately twice as much as aerial surveying.
Let's compare both methods and name their main features.
Aerial surveying
- Performance of up to 150 km of road with one UAV per day
- Orthomosaic with all road infrastructure elements captured in high-detail (<10 cm per pixel)
- Spatial positioning of any object down to 10 cm
Mobile LiDAR scanning
- Performance of 100-200 km with one car per day
- Dense LiDAR point cloud, covering everything within a 150 m radius from the scanner
- Spatial positioning of any object down to 5-7 cm
Among other differences, it is worth noting the following advantages of MLS. There is no need to obtain flight permits. It is possible to do scanning at night. You get accurate elevation of objects and slopes. However, this technology also has some limitations. The width of the capture strip is 80-150 meters and depends on the surrounding terrain. Data processing is more complex and time-consuming than with aerial surveying. As a result, one kilometer of MLS surveying costs approximately twice as much as aerial surveying.
2. Mobile LiDAR Scanning Results
The resulting point cloud allows you to determine:
- roadway boundaries
- road contours within the berm edges
- fills and mounds edges and their heights
- junction and side road positions
- road sign locations
- barrier placement
- lighting positions
- placement of traffic lights
- public transport stops
- sidewalks and footpaths
- road service facilities
- and other elements of the road infrastructure
Accurate maps of roads and surrounding areas can be generated based on mobile LiDAR scanning data.
It is possible to create technical road documentation too:
2. Mobile LiDAR Scanning Results
The resulting point cloud allows you to determine:
- roadway boundaries
- road contours within the berm edges
- fills and mounds edges and their heights
- junction and side road positions
- road sign locations
- barrier placement
- lighting positions
- placement of traffic lights
- public transport stops
- sidewalks and footpaths
- road service facilities
- and other elements of the road infrastructure
Accurate maps of roads and surrounding areas can be generated based on mobile LiDAR scanning data.
It is possible to create technical road documentation too:
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