Automatic Extraction of Urban Features from Terrestrial LIDAR Systems

The U.S. Army requires automated feature extraction (AFE) software to collect 3D urban features from terrestrial LIDAR data in a timely and cost-effective manner to support the ground-based Warfighter operating in the urban battlespace. Vehicle-mounted terrestrial LIDAR systems have the capability to capture very-accurate 3D measurements of the urban environment with spatial resolutions on the order of 5 centimeters or less. The 3D imaging capability of these collection systems is negated, however, by a lack of commercial software tools capable of exploiting terrestrial LIDAR datasets with a high degree of automation. Current approaches for creating high-resolution 3D urban models are expensive, requiring thousands of man-hours to digitize feature geometries, assign textures to features, and then attribute features. Visual Learning Systems, Inc. has developed a unique capability to automatically extract 3D urban features from terrestrial LIDAR data including building facades, doors, windows, poles, trees, vehicles and other urban features of interest. The proposed Ground-Based 3D Urban Modeling Toolkit, designed as a plug-in for VLS’ Feature Analyst and LIDAR Analyst software, provides the Army with a comprehensive and automated 3D feature extraction solution for urban environments.