Terrestrial laser scanning of the river environment

Hetherington, D

Abstract

This thesis describes the results of three field studies concerned with the utilisation
of terrestrial laser scanning in the river environment, over different spatial scales.
Existing research and technical literature has also been reviewed relating to scale,
form and process in the river environment, conventional measurement techniques
and the general utility and testing of terrestrial laser scanning technology.
In physical geography and geomorphology, scales of interest in the river
environment can range from very small scales such as an individual grain up to large
scales that cover entire floodplains or catchments. Improved measurement and
spatial representation of the river environment over all these scales will reduce error
and improve confidence in research into river form and process.
Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) - sometimes referred to as Terrestrial LiDAR (Light
Detection and Ranging) - is an exciting and relatively new measurement technique
that is based upon the time-of-flight principles of laser pulses from a static origin.
The term "scanning" relates to the way that the laser pulses are systematically
deployed and received in an automated fashion over a swath by the main
measurement unit. These data are acquired from a terrestrial perspective, which
gives the technique an advantage over airborne measurement and terrestrial contact
measurement methods.
This research's aim is to evaluate the performance of TLS as a tool for measuring
and representing the river environment, whilst focusing on three distinct scales of
river features - the reach scale, the floodplain/braid plain scale and the grain scale.
Overall, TLS has proved itself to be an extremely useful tool for measuring and
representing (spatially and temporally) the river environment, whilst focusing on
various scales and features. This is especially the case when investigating rivers at
the reach and plain scales. If used correctly, it can undoubtedly provide scientists
and engineers with the data that they need to increase their knowledge of river
environment form and process. The findings of this thesis have many broader
implications relating to how TLS should be used and how it fits into the suite of
measurement tools that we have at our disposal.

Citation

Hetherington, D. Terrestrial laser scanning of the river environment. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2009