Accuracy evaluation of 3-D laser imaging scans

Abstract

Technological advances in the area of spatial sciences over the past 10 -- 20 years have brought about many new equipment types for the capture of 3-dimensional data. An emerging technology is the terrestrial laser scanner, which enables the collection of detailed 3-D data of an area. The implementation of the terrestrial laser scanner in the surveying industry has been slowed by a lack of knowledge of its useful application in comparison with wellunderstood, and practiced, traditional methods. This leads to the question of whether the terrestrial laser scanners relative accuracies and its practical use in the field are of value to the surveying industry. Scanners allow the collection of data without having to physically touch objects. Their use as surveying instruments is exceptional in situations of limited access to structures or target areas, such as moving conveyors or dangerous heights. and creates large amounts of usable information. Data capture times are short and the instrument may easily be used by a single person. The laser scanner would prove highly valuable as a new surveying tool.