Time-quality analysis of spatial data processing for bridge management

Pingbo Tang, Zhenglai Shen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Delays in delivering spatial information to support the decisions about maintenance of bridges introduce stoppages into the bridge management workflow. Previous studies show that spatial data collection and analysis are major components of these inspection programs. However, the time-consuming spatial data processing causes days or weeks of delays in delivering the needed spatial information. Federal agencies, in many cases, either wait for the tedious spatial data processing or use partial data processing results containing high uncertainties. Using the processing of 3D laser scanning point clouds as an example, this paper examines the technical feasibility and scientific challenges of quantifying the data processing time and the quality (e.g., accuracy) of derived information (e.g., minimum under-clearance of a bridge) useful for bridge management. Different decisions need different geometric attributes and relationships with various accuracy requirements. The optimal data processing strategy varies with the needed information quality and time limits. It is difficult to manually analyze the time-quality trade-offs of spatial data processing due to its ad-hoc nature and large number of possible parameter settings in data processing workflows. The authors proposed a computational framework that automatically records data processing histories of engineers along with the engineering needs. Analyzing those histories lead to insights into the trade-offs between required computational complexity/time and quality of delivered spatial information. This paper presents time-quality analysis results from two bridge inspection cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComputing in Civil and Building Engineering - Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering
EditorsR. Raymond Issa, Ian Flood
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages900-908
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9780784413616
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering - Orlando, United States
Duration: Jun 23 2014Jun 25 2014

Publication series

NameComputing in Civil and Building Engineering - Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering

Other

Other2014 International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period6/23/146/25/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction

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