Development of “air-ground data fusion” based LiDAR method: Towards sustainable preservation and utilization of multiple-scaled historical blocks and buildings

Abstract

As important components of urban sustainable development, historical buildings and blocks have critical cultural, economical, and scientific values. Sustainable preservation and utilization of historical buildings/blocks need reliable spatial geometry information, which is commonly generated by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Traditional 3D reconstruction technologies, such as image-based air oblique photography reconstruction technology (OP) and laser-based ground scanning technology (LT), have disadvantages in information integrity and reconstruction accuracy. To overcome these limitations, the current study developed an advanced AGF-LiDAR (“air-ground data fusion” based 3D laser radar method) reconstruction technology. Series of algorithms and hardwares were constructed to realize real-time cooperation between “air-ground” equipment, and real-time fusion of “air-ground” data. The AGF-LiDAR reconstruction technology was verified by practical surveying and mapping of historical buildings, and the real scene scoring system was used in quantitative evaluation. Results show that AGF-LiDAR reconstruction technology can obviously improve reconstruction quality in terms of information integrity and accuracy. The score of AGF-LiDAR reconstruction technology (90 points) was higher than that of traditional manual “air-ground” fusion method (61 points). The AGF-LiDAR reconstruction technology can be applied in various fields, including green urban design, intelligent operation. Overall, the newly developed AGF-LiDAR reconstruction technology is very promising in sustainable heritage preservation.