A Mobile Mapping Solution for VRU Infrastructure Monitoring via Low-Cost LiDAR-Sensors

LiDAR scanning of infrastructure is a well-known method to obtain accurate information about roads and their condition. Scanning with this type of sensor is expensive and usually only covers the quality of vehicular infrastructure. Infrastructure for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as pe-destrians or cyclists, is often neglected. Thanks to ever-improving electronics, it is now possible to incorporate high-performance LiDAR sensors made of conventional semiconductor materials into mo-bile devices. The following article illustrates various experiments with an iPad Pro 2020 LiDAR sensor for low-cost mobile mapping of VRU infrastructure. Using the "3D Scanner App", detailed and quali-tative point clouds can be created at low speed levels. In addition, potholes and bumps perpendicular to the road can be detected with remarkable accuracy. This fact enables various mobile mapping solu-tions for VRU infrastructure monitoring, such as a crowd-sourcing option for urban data mining or an interface to urban digital twins, at a much lower cost than conventional sensor solutions.     «

LiDAR scanning of infrastructure is a well-known method to obtain accurate information about roads and their condition. Scanning with this type of sensor is expensive and usually only covers the quality of vehicular infrastructure. Infrastructure for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as pe-destrians or cyclists, is often neglected. Thanks to ever-improving electronics, it is now possible to incorporate high-performance LiDAR sensors made of conventional semiconductor materials into mo-bile devi...     »