Case Study: As-Built Laser Scan for New Road & Bridge Construction

Michelle Hands
Jul 29
2 min read

Using the RS30 for fast, detailed data capture under challenging conditions

Client Brief

We were recently brought in on a road and bridge construction project nearing completion. The client requested a high-detail as-built survey of the partially finished build for several reasons:

To verify current construction accuracy
To monitor the build process over time
To check dimensional tolerances ahead of future works in the surrounding area.

They didn’t just want a standard drawing — they wanted a full visual dataset that their in-house team could interrogate, measure, and extract from as needed.

The Challenge

Conditions on site weren’t ideal.

❌ Drone surveying was ruled out due to overhead lines and poor weather.

❌ A traditional survey using GPS or EDM would have taken 2–3 days — and still only produced 2D outputs with zero visual reference for context.

We needed a faster, smarter solution.

Our Approach

We deployed the CHCNAV RS30 — a mobile laser scanning system with integrated GNSS and a 5MP camera — ideal for high-detail, ground-level data capture.

Here’s how the process broke down:

Scanning time: Just a few hours Processing time (via CoPre): Completed within one working day Deliverables: A clean, coordinated dataset, processed and packaged for the client’s in-house use — including 3D point cloud, high-resolution imagery, and full as-built verification data.

Why It Worked

The RS30 was the right tool for the job:

It worked in tight environments and under poor weather, where drones couldn’t.
It provided rich, visual 3D data, not just flat linework.
The client didn’t need to wait days — the entire workflow was wrapped up within 24 hours post-capture.

And importantly: the data was theirs to use as they saw fit.

Outcome

By using the RS30, we saved the client:

Time — cutting a multi-day job down to a single day of processing
Headaches — avoiding scheduling around drones or survey constraints
Limitations — giving them more than just drawings, but a versatile, measurable, visual dataset

This is exactly where mobile scanning shines — bridging the gap between construction, verification, and future planning with one streamlined workflow.

Interested in what this workflow could look like on your site?

Get in touch. We don’t just sell the tech — we use it to solve real problems, fast.