Point-Cloud Contour Mapping for Accurate Road Waterlogging Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sensor-based and image-based monitoring technologies for urban road waterlogging require high installation and maintenance costs, and image-based methods rely on specific reference objects, limiting their universal application in urban management systems.

Innovation Solution

A road waterlogging depth measurement method using contour lines generated from point clouds, acquired and processed with laser scanners, integrated with DEM and Toggle Contours technology, and transformed into a unified coordinate system for accurate waterlogging depth calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor-based monitoring technologies are used for waterlogging depth measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation costs increase due to requiring large numbers of sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterlogging depth measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor deployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical sensor-based mechanical measurement systems with a laser scanning and point cloud processing system. The laser scanner captures road surface topography data, which is then processed through terrain analysis algorithms to calculate waterlogging depth, eliminating the need for deploying numerous physical sensors while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the road surface topography through laser scanning and point cloud processing. This digital terrain model serves as a virtual representation that can be analyzed repeatedly without physical intervention, replacing the need for multiple physical sensors and enabling cost-effective, scalable deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If image-based monitoring technologies are used for waterlogging depth measurement, then installation costs are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reliance on specific reference objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidwaterlogging depth measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces image-based optical measurement with laser-based ranging technology. The laser scanner directly measures distance and elevation data through time-of-flight or phase-shift methods, providing precise topographic information without requiring reference objects, while maintaining ease of deployment through single-point scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional image analysis to three-dimensional point cloud processing. By capturing the road surface in three dimensions through laser scanning, the system eliminates the need for reference objects that are required in 2D image-based methods, as the 3D topographic data directly provides elevation information for waterlogging depth calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If contour line generation from point clouds is used for waterlogging depth measurement, then device complexity is reduced using existing urban cameras, but measurement precision must be maintained through accurate DEM construction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem deployment complexityVSAvoidwaterlogging depth measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary terrain analysis by constructing a high-precision DEM from laser scanner point cloud data before waterlogging events occur. This pre-established digital terrain model serves as a reference baseline that can be used repeatedly for waterlogging depth measurement, eliminating the need for complex real-time sensor deployments while maintaining measurement accuracy through comparison with the pre-captured topographic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively manages urban waterlogging risks while reducing installation and maintenance costs, providing accurate and real-time waterlogging depth measurements.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring road surface point cloud data using a laser scanner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentUS20260011024A1Road waterlogging depth measurement method based on contour lines generated from point clouds

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 CHINA THREE GORGES UNIV

AI summary

A road waterlogging depth measurement method based on contour lines generated from point clouds includes the steps of: S1, acquiring road surface point cloud data using a laser scanner, and processing the acquired road surface point cloud data; S2, generating a relatively regular triangulation network using oracle transportation management (OTM) software based on the processed data, and constructing a digital elevation model (DEM); S3, drawing contour lines by integrating the DEM with Toggle Contours technology, and performing quality inspection and post-processing on the drawn contour lines; S4, performing projection transformation on a contour map; and S5, calculating a road waterlogging depth. According to the present disclosure, by adopting the above method, urban waterlogging risk management in urban management systems can be effectively addressed, and installation and maintenance costs can be saved.