3-D Laser Scanning
3-D Laser Scanners are a new tool available for accident reconstruction, which, when applied in the right circumstances, provides invaluable data. They work on the same principle as a total station surveying instrument in that they combine a laser distance measurement with accurate angle measurements to give the 3-D position of a measured point. However, unlike total stations which can only measure one point at a time, 3-D laser scanners measure literally millions of points in a single use. The resulting “point cloud” gives precise 3-D measurements for all of the objects around the scanner, including accurate color data. When looking at these point clouds in our software, it’s as if you’re viewing the scene in real-time. The pictures on this page are only snap shots of point clouds which we have captured. They are very detailed but, because of limitations of displaying the data over the internet, they don’t do the actual point clouds justice.
3-D laser scanners give the scenes of accidents incredible realism. They offer other very real benefits such as:
- Being able to map every crack and gouge in the roadway. This is very useful when trying to match the positions of vehicles documented in police photographs.
- They can cost effectively gather enough data to map fine details of road shape such as variations in the amount of banking in a corner, rutting within the lanes, depth of rumble strips, etc.
- Documenting all of the nuances in the crush depth and even contact scuff marks of the vehicle’s damage.
- Calculating the volume of crush.
- Taking measurements at night (because they can be taken in complete darkness).
- Taking measurements of busy and dangerous roads, because there is no need to be on the road surface and vehicles driving through the scene do not interfere with the measurements.
- Measuring complex visibility obstructions like trees, embankments, rock slides, etc.
- Measuring structures that cannot be touched (if for instance, they are too far away or too sensitive)
3-D laser scanners can provide invaluable data when the case warrants it.
Contact us at the link below if you have a case where you think it may be of use.
