Final Scope

 While collection and use of LiDAR data has become widespread, state departments of transportation (DOTs) often have questions on ways to improve their own processes, especially as advances in data governance practices, analysis methods and tools, technologies related to all aspects of state DOT activities, and other areas expand the potential benefits and challenges with using LiDAR data. NCHRP Report 748, Guidelines for the Use of Mobile LiDAR in Transportation Applications, assisted with developing comprehensive LiDAR programs. Since its publication in 2013, LiDAR technology has improved and state DOTs’ experiences with LiDAR have grown, and documentation of existing practices, business use, and needs would benefit state DOTs’ efforts.

 The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOTs’ practices related to technical, administrative, policy, and other aspects of collecting, managing, and using LiDAR data to support state DOTs’ current and future practices.

 Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):

• Types of projects and business uses: 

o   roadway projects,

o   Operation, maintenance, and safety,

o   Research,

o   Mapping,

o   Asset management, and

o   Others.

•      Data sources, data collection, processing, extraction, storage, and maintenance, as well as identification of expected potential use of data;
• Data mining for various types of uses, including addressing challenges such as:

o   expected accuracy levels based on purposes,

o   attachment and permanence of accuracy level information to the data

o   integration with software tools, and

o   Others.

•       Data management and governance practices;
• Quality assurance and quality control practices; and
• DOT policies and standards related to LiDAR data collection/maintenance. 

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information Sources (Partial):

• NCHRP Report 748, Guidelines for the Use of Mobile LiDAR in Transportation Applications, provided a starting point for many states to establish their LiDAR data collection programs.
• Recent and current documentation of individual state practices, such as Kentucky Transportation Cabinet project SPR23-634: Best Practices for LiDAR Data Collection and Processing.
• Case studies and noteworthy practices documented by FHWA, such as FHWA-SA-14-078: Collection and Use of Roadway Asset Data in Utah.

 TRB Staff
Arefeh Nasri 
Phone: 202-334-2763 
Email: anasri@nas.edu 

 Meeting Dates
First Panel: September 13, 2023, Washington, D.C.
Teleconference with Consultant: October 26, 2023, 2:00-3:00 pm EST
Second Panel: May 30, 2024, Washington, D.C.

Panel Members
Matthew Corrigan, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Henry Brown, University of Missouri, Columbia
Wei Li, Georgia Department of Transportation
Roxane Mukai, Maryland Transportation Authority
Adrian Martinez, Texas Department of Transportation
Patrick Suess, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Ida van Schalkwyk, Washington State Department of Transportation
Katherine Kortum, Transportation Research Board