3D Geospatial modeling of accident scene using Laser Scanner data

Abstract

The aim of traffic reconstruction is to recreate motor vehicle collision scenes in order to analyze the dynamics of the collision events, to provide evidence in court cases and allow the manufacturers to evaluate the vehicle’s design. However, at the scene of the accident it is not known exactly the amount of information that will be required for the analysis and often relevant data are missing. The emergence of terrestrial laser scanning has enabled the 3D documentation of accident events in a safer way, as information can be collected without any lane closures or traffic interruptions, and in a more flexible and faster way, as a single user can operate the instrument in complete darkness or direct sunlight. The notion of this paper is to model accident scene using terrestrial laser scanning data. With the intersection-related crashes making up a high proportion of total fatal crashes, there is a need for recording their current status in order to improve the design and operation of road intersections. Terrestrial laser scanning provides the capability of recording such infrastructures in a fast and reliable way, where a number of different information, including traffic control features, volumes, accident characteristics and detailed spatial data, can be easily obtained. This information can then be integrated within traffic management integrated systems and be used for accident prevention purposes.

Keywords: Terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), Momentum, speed, Accuracy.