Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Michael J. Olsen
Abstract
Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has become a powerful, new surveying technology to support a wide range of engineering applications that include topographic mapping, asset management, deformation monitoring, quantity calculations, and safety evaluations. This chapter introduces TLS, describes common applications of TLS in Civil Engineering, and provides an overview of several types of TLS systems. The characteristics of TLS systems that differ from other lidar platforms such as airborne and mobile platforms are discussed. A TLS workflow is outlined, focusing on such important steps as planning, field procedures, registration and georeferencing, processing, and analysis. A variety of currently available terrestrial laser scanners are evaluated, and some common limitations, errors, and artifacts in TLS data are identified. Two types of targets to be utilized in scanning are discussed: transformation control targets and validation control targets.