SBIR Phase I: The Development of a Cost-Effective LIDAR-Based System for Geo-Infrastructure Monitoring and Management

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目涉及开发一个系统，用于监测与美国基础设施相关的公路斜坡、大坝地基和其他土壤和岩石暴露的结构完整性。该监控系统将集成最先进的3D成像硬件、3D点云处理软件和无线通信。该系统将基于高性价比的LIDAR(光探测和测距)传感器，以及开发LIDAR点云处理软件。激光雷达传感器可以从远处连续高分辨率地监测岩石和土壤的暴露情况。将开发全自动变化检测软件，以精确定位不稳定地区，提供关于不稳定发生之前、期间和之后的地面运动的关键信息。无线通信允许持续报告和发出警告。该系统将具有成本效益，允许广泛使用监测美国地质基础设施的技术，以及在矿产和材料作业、建筑、危险废物设施和遗产地的其他潜在应用。有许多具有挑战性的方面将促进知识和理解？这个项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括与提高安全性有关的更广泛的社会利益，既包括工人的安全，也包括那些使用基础设施并受到基础设施影响的人的安全，如公路司机、铁路乘客和生活在大坝下的人的安全。拟议工作的成果是一种具有巨大商业潜力的适销对路的产品，将被世界各地的政府机构和公司购买。在现场自动、实时地处理点云数据以评估岩土地面不稳定性是一项具有许多竞争优势的创新。由于具有成本效益，该商业产品将鼓励广泛使用现代监测技术。由于成本较高，相互竞争的技术仅限于采矿作业等特殊地点。拟议中的新技术还应用于其他学科，包括采矿、民用建筑、制造业和林业。拟议的监测系统正在收集有关岩石和土体变形和破坏的宝贵信息，这是世界各地大学非常感兴趣的。通过不断监测潜在的不稳定的岩石和土壤暴露，新的发现和见解很可能会出现。拟议的系统未来可能会扩展到包括其他类型的传感器。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project involves the development of a system for monitoring the structural integrity of highway slopes, dam foundations, and other soil and rock exposures associated with the US infrastructure. The monitoring system will integrate state-of-the-art 3D imaging hardware, 3D point-cloud processing software and wireless communication. The system will be based around a cost-effective LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor, as well as the development of LIDAR point-cloud processing software. The LIDAR sensor allows continuous high-resolution 3D monitoring of rock and soil exposures from a distance. Fully automated change-detection software will be developed to pinpoint unstable areas, providing critical information on ground movement before, during and after instabilitiesoccur. Wireless communication allows for continuous reporting and the issuing of warnings. The system will be cost-effective, allowing widespread use of the technology for monitoring the US geo-infrastructure, as well as other potential applications in mineral and material operations, construction, hazardous waste facilities and heritage sites. There are many challenging aspects that will advance knowledge and understanding ? deciphering change-detection information to determine ground movement, determining what is precursory activity to instabilities and issuing warnings, developing a compact, cost-effective system.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project include societal benefits related to increased safety, both the safety of workers, and the safety of those that use and are impacted by the infrastructure, such as highway drivers, rail passengers, and people living below dams. Theoutcome of the proposed work is a marketable product that has significant commercial potential and would be purchased by government agencies and companies worldwide. The automatic, realtime processing of point cloud data in the field to assess rock and soil ground instability is an innovation that has many competitive advantages. By being cost-effective, the commercialproduct would encourage the widespread use of modern monitoring technologies. Competing technologies, because of their high cost, are limited to special sites such as mining operations. The proposed new technology has applications in other disciplines, including mining, civil construction, manufacturing, and forestry. The proposed monitoring system is collecting valuableinformation on rock and soil deformation and failure that is of great interest to Universities worldwide. By continually monitoring potentially unstable rock and soil exposures, new discoveries and insights are likely to occur. The proposed system could be expanded in the future to include other kinds of sensors.