Detection of Pavement Distresses Using 3D Laser Scanning Technology

The 3D laser scanning is one of the exceptionally versatile and efficient technologies for accurately capturing large sets of 3D coordinates. 3D laser scanner uses a technique that employs reflected laser pulses to create accurate digital models of existing objects. For 3D survey, detection of pavement distresses, such as potholes, large-area utility cuts or patches, is possible application where laser scanner technology excels. The traditional surveying and evaluation of distresses on pavement are extremely rough and restrictive as it implies lane or even entire road closures. In the study, the accurate 3D point-cloud points with their elevations were captured during scanning and extracted focusing on specific distress features by means of a grid-based processing approach. The experimental results indicate that the severity and coverage of distresses can be accurately and automatically quantified to calculate the needed amounts of filled materials. This application is the first attempt and can assist pavement engineers in monitoring pavement performance and estimating repair funding.