Road surveying plays a critical role in infrastructure development and maintenance. As digital transformation accelerates in road management, traditional surveying techniques struggle to keep up with the demands for higher efficiency, accuracy, and safety. With the growing need for dense and timely data, advanced surveying solutions are essential. Our high-resolution airborne LiDAR technology provides the precision, efficiency, and safety necessary for asset extraction, preventive maintenance, and database management in modern road infrastructure projects
Asset Extraction
Accurate asset data is crucial for cataloging roadside elements such as traffic signs, guardrails, and utility poles. Studies indicate that precise asset management can reduce maintenance costs by up to 20% annually. CHCNAV’s LiDAR solutions ensure high-resolution data collection, enabling surveyors to maintain up-to-date and accurate asset inventories efficiently.
Preventive Maintenance
Up-to-date and precise road condition data allows infrastructure teams to plan maintenance proactively, extending road lifespan by up to 30%. CHCNAV’s LiDAR-equipped UAVs provide rapid data collection, identifying surface deterioration, drainage issues, and structural concerns before they escalate into costly repairs.
The Role of Surveyors in Road Projects
Surveyors are vital in road construction and maintenance projects, executing tasks that ensure project success and safety. Key responsibilities include:
Defining Project Boundaries: Establishing limits for planning and detailed studies.
Assessing Existing Infrastructure: Evaluating current road conditions for redevelopment.
Terrain Analysis: Mapping elevation, topography, and geographical features.
Data Collection: Gathering insights to refine project feasibility, cost estimates, and timelines.
Surveyors employ traditional techniques such as traverse line establishment, distance measurement, and topographic surveys before transitioning to detailed location surveys, where final alignments and design refinements occur.
Challenges of Conventional Road Surveying Techniques
Traditional road surveying methods, including GNSS RTK receivers, total stations, and aerial photogrammetry, present several challenges:
Labour-Intensive Workloads: Manual surveys require significant time and manpower.
Lower Efficiency & Accuracy Risks: Setup, measurements, and recordings are time-consuming and prone to human error.
Operational Hazards: Working in high-traffic or hazardous environments increases surveyor risk.
Environmental Constraints: Weather, lighting, and vegetation hinder photogrammetry accuracy.
This is a game-changer for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and transportation management. City planners can use GNSS data to update zoning maps, optimise traffic flow, and improve infrastructure planning. Environmental agencies can monitor deforestation, track landscape changes, and assess climate change impact with greater precision and efficiency.
Steps in Airborne LiDAR Road Surveying
1. Flight Planning
Using CHCNAV’s SmartGo software, surveyors plan UAV flight paths based on terrain, scan coverage, and data density needs. GNSS corrections via CHCNAV’s iBase ensure positioning accuracy, while Ground Control Points (GCPs) are strategically placed for further refinement.
2. 3D Data Collection
CHCNAV’s AlphaAir 15 (AA15) captures high-density 3D data with:
16 returns per laser pulse for superior vegetation penetration.
2 million pulses per second for comprehensive point cloud generation.
Up to 1,800-metre range for efficient corridor mapping.
3. Data Processing & Analysis
CHCNAV’s CoPre and CoProcess2.0 software streamline data processing through automation:
One-click point cloud processing to generate orthophotos and high-accuracy maps.
Automated accuracy improvements using control points.
Cross-section generation and road feature extraction using AI-driven tools for improved efficiency.
Using Tri-Site
Integrating CHCNAV’s LiDAR technology into road surveying revolutionises infrastructure projects by enhancing precision, efficiency, and safety. With cost-effective, high-performance systems like the AlphaAir 15 (AA15) and advanced software solutions, surveyors can complete large-scale projects faster and with unparalleled accuracy.
As a leading supplier of CHCNAV solutions, Tri-Site ensures that geospatial professionals have access to the best airborne LiDAR systems for road surveying. By adopting CHCNAV’s innovative technologies, surveyors can achieve superior results, optimise road planning, and contribute to the development of smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.
