Accuracy assessment of light detection and ranging system measurements for jointed concrete pavement surface geometry

Stationary Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems provide detailed three-dimensional (3D) point clouds for pavement surface geometry measurements. Despite their long presence in the market, LiDAR systems are still relatively new to pavement engineers and there are only few studies verifying their accuracy. To bridge this gap, laboratory and field tests were performed to investigate the accuracy of LiDAR instrument. In the laboratory test, a wooden board was set up and a dial indicator was used to measure deflections when loads were applied. The magnitudes were compared with the deflections from LiDAR scans estimated by a low-order polynomial fit model and a thin-plate spline (TPS) fit model. In the field test, profiles were acquired for concrete pavement using a standard profilometer and the LiDAR system. Agreement among these profiles was investigated. Test results assured that this stationary LiDAR system could provide acceptable accuracy and precision for slab surface geometry measurements.

Automated summary

This study verifies the accuracy and precision of stationary LiDAR system for pavement surface geometry measurements through laboratory and field tests.