Mobile Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Highway Inventory Data Collection

A variety of roadside objects along state highways contribute to a complex infrastructure system that needs to be efficiently managed by state departments of transportation (DOTs). State DOTs routinely collect data on roadside objects using a variety of sensing methods to meet regulation requirements, to evaluate road conditions, and to optimize their operations. Significant challenges exist in collecting and maintaining highway inventory data of sufficient detail and quality. There are thousands of miles of highways in each state. Collecting road inventory data along these highways often incurs significant cost. This research reviews mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) as an emerging highway inventory data collection method. The objective is to analyze the system components of MTLS systems and to investigate MTLS's data accuracy and data collection effort relative to the need of implementing a cost-effective highway asset management system.