The results of land surveying are widely used in the construction and operation of transport facilities. The method of geodetic survey is rather important. The most modern , efficient method for land surveying is terrestrial laser scanning.
Application of 3D Laser scanning for transport infrastructure objects:
- land surveying for further design,
- control of construction and installation works, as-built survey, comparison of “as-built” model with “as-designed” model,
- volume calculation (moving earth, soil, excavation works, bulk material on dumps).
Land surveying
The undeniable advantage of application of laser scanning in land surveying is original three-dimensionality of results. That is, apart from the traditional topographic plan with elevations have the opportunity to receive a highly detailed digital elevation model (DEM), which greatly facilitates the further design in CAD like AutoCAD Civil 3D.
It is highly cost effective to use laser scanning for surveying transportation infrastructure if machine control systems are used for construction itself. The reson is that surveying before construction and as-built survey after construction is carry out by three-dimensional method. It makes design process and control of construction easier and cheaper.
3D Laser scanning has a special value for design of reconstruction, modernization and repair. Complicated land surveying on existing object becomes easier and quicker when using highly automated terrestrial laser scanning.
Control of construction and installation works, as-built survey
It is rather rational and cost effective to use laser scanning for control of construction of highways, bridges and tunnels. The core advantage of the 3D laser scanning technology in this case – operability of the data obtained. It is possible to make safe survey of a highway with intensive traffic. Application of the 3D laser scanning technology allows us to minimize the human factor influence based on high degree of data acquisition automation.
If it is necessary to have an “as-built” or “as-is” 3D-model of an object with a lot of features to be surveyed and measured, it is highly advised to use 3D laser scanning. According to this model, with high accuracy corresponding to reality, it is possible to carry out different measurements in the comfort of the office, without going to the site. Often it is impossible to take some measurements on a real site, while the virtual model allow us to do it in seconds.
Another important feature of the use of laser scanning of transport infrastructure objects is the high degree of automation in the processing of a point cloud. 
For example, there is a possibility to automatically make a set of cross-sections of a point cloud with a variable distance.
Volume calculation: bulk materials, earth-moving and excavation works
Sometimes it is difficult to calculate the actual volume of displaced soil or rock during the excavation works. Quick measurement by laser scanning succesfully perform this job. Measuring the micro-relief of a surface, 3d laser scanner calculates the volume of moved earth or bulk material on a dump. When the cyclical nature of the work there is the ability to compare DEMs of different time periods. So we can calculate the volume of displaced earth as well as make mapping of changes. The use of laser scanning to measure the volume of bulk materials in storage can significantly improve the accuracy of the final result.
Format of the final result
Upon works completed, the Customer could be provided with the materials as follows:
- topographical plan of the scale 1:1000, 1:500, 1:200 or of the larger scale, flat drawings,
- DEM, DTM in formats DWG, DGN, STL, OBJ, VRML, X3D, U3D, PLY,
- point cloud,
- measurements tabular set (coordinates, distances, radiuses, inclinations, etc.),
- comparison of “as-built” and “as-designed” models,
- interactive 3D application, virtual tour.
Laser scanning services
Trimetari Consulting LLC has extensive experience in the application of 3D laser scanning of transport infrastructure. Information on the completed projects is available on the Projects page. To receive a complete reference list, confirming the qualification of the company, to order of laser scanning services, to calculate the cost of laser scanning, please contact us via the Contact page.