Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging for the Identification, Evaluation and Management of Unstable Highway Slopes

This Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) project utilized ground-based LIDAR, in conjunction with point cloud processing algorithms, to assist with the identification, evaluation and management of highway slopes that are prone to rockfall. This included the assessment of rock faces for the likelihood of rockfall (rockfall hazard ratings and rock mass characterization), as well as determining information on rockfall that actually occurs (locations, rate and volume of rockfall). Software development was made through improvements to Split Engineering's Split-FX software for processing point clouds and associated digital images. In addition, seven field sites in Arizona, Colorado and Utah were utilized to field-test the software and develop best practices.