Construction zone object detection using light detection and ranging

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing device of a vehicle, cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:

• selecting a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud representing an area within a predetermined threshold distance from a surface of a road of travel of the vehicle;
• identifying one or more construction zone objects in the selected portion;
• determining a likelihood of existence of a construction zone based on the identified one or more construction zone objects;
• in response to the likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, determining a severity of road changes based on a number and locations of the one or more construction zone objects;
• and
• controlling the vehicle based on the likelihood of existence of the construction zone and the severity of road changes.

A control system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device configured to capture a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud representing an area within a predetermined threshold distance from a surface of a road of travel of the vehicle;
• a computing device in communication with the LIDAR device;
• and
• data storage comprising instructions that, when executed by the computing device, cause the control system to perform functions comprising:
• selecting a portion of the three-dimensional (3D) point cloud;
• identifying one or more construction zone objects in the selected portion;
• determining a likelihood of existence of a construction zone based on the identified one or more construction zone objects;
• in response to the likelihood exceeding a threshold likelihood, determining a severity of road changes based on a number and locations of the one or more construction zone objects;
• and
• controlling the vehicle based on the likelihood of existence of the construction zone and the severity of road changes.