Low Cost 3-D LIDAR Development for Transportation

Mobile light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology offers a significant opportunity to increase transportation safety and efficiency by delivering information suited for Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) reports. Unfortunately, commercial LIDAR systems for U.S. Department of Transportation projects can be prohibitively expensive for widespread implementation. Previous efforts within the PI’s laboratory resulted in the construction of an inexpensive three-dimensional (3-D) LIDAR system that was able to capture up to 700k data points over a couple hours. Here, this effort will build on this past research by increasing the sampling and data collection rate while enhancing connectivity and improving the post-processing of the point cloud information. Overall, by demonstrating its applicability in capturing dissimilar places on campus, this upgraded system will ensure that a low-cost and mobile LIDAR system is sufficiently capable for transportation-based safety outcomes.

"Through Microsoft OneDrive for Business and an associated webpage (on the PI’s Drupal-based faculty website: https://depcik.ku.edu), data generated from the project will be organized by type and made available to interested parties. Moreover, the final report will be made available on this webpage after vetting by the PI and other MATC personnel after an appropriate embargo period."

Mobile applications of a LIDAR system can provide a wealth of data required for HPMS reports including, but not limited to: traffic information to mitigate roadway delays, accident/crash investigation, soil and rock slope stability, flood risk mapping, pavement quality monitoring, and clearance data for highway overpasses and power lines. This information can lead to safety improvements for transportation workers, the traveling public, and the general public in Region 7. More specifically, employing an effective and mobile LIDAR system can help highlight the major stressors that affect safety performance in transportation and non-transportation applications. Hence, it can positively enable the Research Topics of the Mid-America Transportation Center by working to provide information pre-crash to reduce risks and after accidents as part of post disaster inspection systems.

Download the Final Report