Comparison of Optical Sensor-Based Spatial Data Collection Techniques for Civil Infrastructure Modeling

Abstract

Infrastructure modeling refers to the process of collecting infrastructure spatial data and transforming them into structured representations. It is useful during all stages of the infrastructure life cycle, and plays an important role in infrastructure’s development and rehabilitation applications. In order to facilitate infrastructure modeling, a variety of optical spatial data collection techniques are available. None of them is ideal for all infrastructure applications. Each has its own benefits and limitations. The main purpose of this paper is to select an appropriate technique based on the given infrastructure application requirements. To achieve this goal, the principles of these techniques are first investigated. Their benefits and limitations are identified by comparing them in aspects such as accuracy, automation of spatial data retrieval, instrument cost, and portability. This way, the relationships between techniques and the requirements of civil infrastructure applications are established and compiled in tables. Practitioners can easily select an appropriate technique for their own applications by consulting these tables.