Analysis of Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) Ground Control Methods and Achievable Accuracies

Whittington, Mitchell (2019) Analysis of Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) Ground Control Methods and Achievable Accuracies. [USQ Project]

[img]
Preview
Text (Project)
Whittington_M_Gharineiat_Redacted.pdf

Download (20MB) | Preview

Abstract

The surveying techniques using LiDAR have been recognised as a platform that is increasingly becoming popular and evolving within the spatial science profession. As survey job sites continue to grow in size and the need for quick collection of data, mobile laser scanning techniques are exponentially growing. This presents a problem in regards to the accuracies that are being achieved and what the data is fit for.

This paper has a particular focus in regards to mobile laser scanning ground control and what level of accuracy can be expected from the level of ground control implemented. A variety of ground control geometries and quantities were developed to be tested against a traditional total station survey. The data points collected in each scenario where directly compared to the same point collected from the total station. The data obtained allowed me to calculate confidence intervals and the accuracy range in which the data should achieve if the experiment were to be replicated. The direct point versus point comparison allowed me to determine which scenario was the closest in accuracy to a total station survey and if there was any scenario which replicated a total station survey.

The project returned results in which can be used to determine what can be expected from mobile laser scanning with a certain level of ground control. The project developed eight different ground control scenarios with varying results. The most dense and accurate scenario from the mobile laser scanning was horizontally 34.5mm from the total station survey position, whilst the scenario with no ground control at all was 59mm from the total station survey. There was very limited movement throughout the scenarios in regards to the vertical accuracy, all returned accuracies within 31.5mm-39mm from the total station survey. It would be recommended to that densifying the control exponentially does not return accuracies which can be treated as a total station survey. The extra time and costs associated with densifying the control far outweighs the accuracies improvements which can be achieved. It should also be highlighted that mobile laser scanning surveys with no ground control produces usable data. Uncontrolled MLS surveys should only be used for surveys where accuracies better than 50mm are not trying to be achieved; the only downfall of uncontrolled MLS surveys is the lack of redundant data for validation.

Overall the results from the project satisfied the aims and objectives of this research project. The results are discussed in much more depth throughout the paper and recommendations and future research prospects have been discussed.


Statistics for USQ ePrint 43098
Statistics for this ePrint Item
Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Gharineiat, Zahra
Qualification: Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours) (Surveying)
Date Deposited: 11 Aug 2021 02:23
Last Modified: 27 Jun 2023 04:20
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/43098

Actions (login required)

View Item Archive Repository Staff Only