Longitudinal Degradation of Pavement Marking Detectability for Mobile LiDAR Sensing Technology in Real-World Use

Recent advancements in vehicle automation and driver-assistance systems that detect pavement markings has increased the importance of the detectability of pavement markings through various sensor modalities across weather and road conditions. Among the sensing techniques, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors have become popular for vehicle-automation applications. This study used low-cost mobile multi-beam LiDAR to assess the performance of several types of pavement marking materials installed on a limited-access highway in various conditions, and quantified the degradation in detection performance over three years. Four marking materials, HPS-8, polyurea, cold plastic, and sprayable thermoplastic, were analyzed in the current study. LiDAR reflectivity data extracted from a total of 210 passes through the test sections were analyzed. A new detectability score based on LiDAR intensity data was proposed to quantify the marking detectability. The results showed that the pavement marking detectability varied across the material types over the years. The results provide guidance for selecting materials and developing maintenance schedules when marking detectability by LiDAR is a concern.