LiDAR ASSISTED TRAIL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

A method of standardizing assessment of the condition of a trail for pedestrian, biking, or equestrian use. Apparatuses include a LiDAR unit and a (e.g., video) camera. Data is stored in a common database, synchronized with respect to time (e.g., date) or location, or a combination. Methods include navigating a trail while collecting data with LIDAR and camera, downloading data to a computer, and assessing the trail, for example, against (e.g., USFS) trail standards. Assessment of trails can be standardized to uniform/consistent trail maintenance/construction standards, build/construction plans can be developed, and trail contract compliance can be evaluated. LiDAR data can accurately identify or predict plant encroachment, out of spec rock and grade, risk assessment, and trail failure (e.g., when a hydrology model is applied). Methods can be used to evaluate where to build a new trail by obtaining data from multiple different proposed trail routes and comparing the proposed routes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.