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I-79 Lodgeville As-Built Survey |
E. L. Robinson Engineering Co. (ELR) was selected by the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) to provide an as-built survey, including sections and profiles, for a 800 foot stretch of I-79 from the Lodgeville bridge north.
WVDOT was mainly concerned about the profile of the road and the center wall separating the northbound and southbound lanes of recently upgraded section of I-79. ELR also was to prepare cross-sections and a contour map of the project area.
Goals and Challenges
- Obtain the data needed to create a digital terrain model (DTM) of the road surface and center for the creation of the profiles, cross-sections and contour map.
- Obtain the data in such a way as to minimally impact traffic flow on this busy section of Interstate Highway.
- Obtain the data without compromising the safety of ELR employees.
- Provide WVDOT with complete and accurate drawings.
Solution
ELR considered several methods to accomplish the stated goals. The use of the Robotic Total Station and GPS were ruled out because of ELR safety concerns and the anticipated time needed to complete the survey using these methods. 3D laser scanning was selected as the safest and most economical method for completing the survey. 3D laser scanning delivers all of the required data without endangering ELR employees or requiring traffic control. The use of the scanner permitted ELR to complete the field data collection in one day as apposed to three to four using conventional methods. More than 40 million data points were collected and processed for the creation of the DTM. This DTM was then used in conjunction with Bentley Inroads software and Microstation to generate the profiles, sections and contour map.
