Evaluation of Roadway Infrastructure Data Collection Technologies

Due to technological advances in data collection equipment, many transportation agencies are considering the use of mobile mapping systems: data collection vehicles equipped with a Global Positioning System receiver, an inertial navigation system, several digital cameras, and a computer. The host system is driven on a roadway, and data are collected on the fly. These raw data are then processed on a computer using photogrammetric software packages and input to an inventory database. Many transportation agencies are faced with the decision on using mobile mapping systems to improve their infrastructure data. This article presents a stepwise test protocol that transportation agencies can use to judge different data collection methods. Based on results of four experiments, the protocol provides guidance on different activities associated with the recommended evaluation process. The protocol is accompanied by information that transportation agencies may use as a benchmark for evaluating different inventory data collection methods.