To detect the depth

area and volume of potholes automatically

three test bodies with different sizes were scanned by 3D line laser technology. TIN plane interpolation method was employed to reconstruct the 3D laser-point cloud data model

and a combination of contour line pick-up algorithm was used to calculate multi-dimension indexes of potholes. The ASTM experimental criteria was adopted to verify the validity of index calculating method

and the error rules of depth

area and volume indexes of potholes in different sizes were analyzed. Results show that the maximum relative errors of depth

area and volume of potholes were 4.60%

3.87% and 10.82%

respectively

and the relative errors of depth and area decrease with increasing of potholes sizes. Accurate detection of multi-dimension index of potholes could be achieved with utilization of line laser technology

and this proposed method could provide the basis for fast and accurate judgement of severity of potholes

determination of damage level and estimation of repair materials.