Topographic Surveys for Highway Projects

Highway Projects/Topographic Surveys

Useful for multiple departments and projects

Mobile mapping aerial surveys are a powerful tool for achieving high levels of accuracy in topographic surveys for highway projects. Here’s how they contribute effectively:

Mobile mapping systems integrate LiDAR, GNSS, and imaging sensors mounted on a vehicle. These systems can collect:

Dense 3D point clouds (millions of points per second)
Georeferenced imagery
Accurate positional data (within centimeters when corrected using RTK or PPP techniques)

This allows for precise modeling of road surfaces, surrounding terrain, and roadside assets.

2. Rapid Coverage of Large Areas

Highways can span hundreds of kilometers. Mobile mapping allows quick, continuous data collection without stopping traffic or requiring extensive setups, unlike traditional total station or RTK-GPS methods.

3. High Level of Accuracy

With:

GNSS/IMU integration
SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) where GNSS signals are weak
Proper calibration and control points

You can achieve absolute positional accuracy in the range of 2–5 cm (horizontal) and 3–10 cm (vertical), suitable for engineering design and construction planning.

4. Safety and Efficiency

Mapping from a moving vehicle minimizes the need for surveyors to work on or near active roadways, reducing safety risks and project downtime.

5. Rich Data for Multiple Applications

Besides topographic data, mobile mapping provides information useful for:

Asset inventory (signs, barriers, guardrails)
Road condition assessment (surface cracks, potholes)
Clearance measurements (underpasses, bridges)

6. Integration with BIM and CAD Workflows

The data can be directly imported into design software like AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation, streamlining the transition from field data to engineering deliverables.

Summary

Mobile mapping enables faster, safer, and more accurate surveys for highway topography than traditional methods. When combined with proper ground control and quality assurance protocols, it’s a top-tier solution for modern infrastructure projects.

Not all needs are listed here

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Talk to us

The data provides us with a holistic view of our portfolio and supports us in decision-making, maximising the effectiveness of our resources. We chose Getmapping because they comprehensively answered the brief, giving us faith in the results. They scored 100% against all the key criteria and were the lowest on cost.

Amanda Jayne-Doherty

Open Space Strategy Manager, Peabody

We work with Getmapping on multiple projects and the outputs and solutions they provide to us are always highly accurate and comprehensive, including areas away from the carriageway with minimum disruption or environmental impact.

Richard Waller

Technical Manager, Select Surveys

Getmapping are one of GN’s trusted and strategic partners. We have worked collaboratively on multiple projects, using their best-of-breed Mobile Mapping technology. The data is always high quality, and delivered on time. The solution is flexible ; easy to integrate with our own data sets and accommodate any urgent and last minute changes.