Feasibility of Mobile Laser Scanning towards Operational Accurate Road Rut Depth Measurements

Abstract

This paper studied the applicability of the Roamer-R4DW mobile laser scanning (MLS) system for road rut depth measurement. The MLS system was developed by the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI), and consists of two mobile laser scanners and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-inertial measurement unit (IMU) positioning system. In the study, a fully automatic algorithm was developed to calculate and analyze the rut depths, and verified in 64 reference pavement plots (1.0 m × 3.5 m). We showed that terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data is an adequate reference for MLS-based rutting studies. The MLS-derived rut depths based on 64 plots resulted in 1.4 mm random error, which can be considered adequate precision for operational rutting depth measurements. Such data, also covering the area outside the pavement, would be ideal for multiple road environment applications since the same data can also be used in applications, from high-definition maps to autonomous car navigation and digitalization of street environments over time and in space.

A Method for Obtaining a DEM with Curved Abscissa from MLS Data for Linear Infrastructure Survey Design

“…Fryskowska et al [16] found that the relative accuracy achievable with an MLS survey is on the order of a few millimeters, even in the elevation component up to distances of approximately 5 m from the laser sensor, i.e., in a distance range in line with that used in the survey of the road surface. Same-order accuracy results are achieved by El Issaoui et al [15], who analyze the accuracy of MLS-derived rut depths by comparing them with rut depth derived from a static Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) survey. The authors also compare the cross slopes obtained with both techniques.…”

“…This configuration, at 6 m distance, is compatible with a grid size of 8 mm (Figure 13). In correspondence to the curve section, in the concave inner part at 6 m from the roadway axis, we computed the decrease in the grid spacing with Equation (15). This was used to produce the graph in Figure 6, given the curve radius (about 45 m), which was equal to about 0.7 mm; hence, the grid spacing along the concave edge, in the longitudinal direction, assumed a value equal to 8.3 mm.…”

“…A few papers have been published assessing the accuracy of 3D point clouds produced via MLS in road applications, which is proven to be fully adequate for measuring the regularity and geometry of roads, including when high standards for accuracy are required [15][16][17].…”

Performance Assessment of Reference Modelling Methods for Defect Evaluation in Asphalt Concrete

“…Potholes, which are typically over 10 cm in diameter and multiple cm deep, can be robustly identified with centimeter-level accuracy. El Issaoui et al [33] deem a 1.4 mm error level adequate for operational rut depth measurements. For reference use, sub-millimeter levels of accuracy and precision are necessary to reliably evaluate various defect types.…”

“…Nonetheless, comparisons allow us to determine deviations between modeling methods and to establish any systematic failures in instruments. Additionally, the use of established and wellcalibrated methods, such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), which can be considered accurate within its calibrated accuracy, provides a reliable baseline [33]. However, TLS data may be too sparse for accurate quantification of pavement defects.…”