Monitoring geometric properties of an existing forest road using airborne Lidar data

Abstract

Accurate information about geometric properties of a forest road is essential for the sustainable forestry and transportation safety. In this study the ability of airborne Lidar in detecting vertical and horizontal profiles and cross section elements of a forest road was investigated in a deciduous forest of Hyrcanian zone. Moreover, Lidar-derived road data was compared with field surveyed data by Leica Total Station device. The results indicated that the average error of Lidar in assessing vertical and horizontal profiles of the existing road was 0.57 m and 4.9°, respectively. The average error of Lidar in detecting the roadbed was 0.78 m. Lidar had an average error of 1.36% in assessing the longitudinal gradient. Based on findings of this study it was concluded that geometric properties of existing forest roads can be monitored rapidly under dense tree canopy using high-resolution Lidar data and without field survey.