SURVEYING - TERRESTRIAL AND MOBILE SCANS

Palmer Engineering integrates advanced terrestrial and mobile LiDAR scanning technologies into our surveying workflows to deliver highly accurate 3D data for complex transportation and infrastructure projects. These methods provide detailed, millimeter-level surfaces for roadway design, bridge reconstruction, and drainage analysis — enabling faster decisions and more efficient project delivery.

Our teams utilize terrestrial and mobile scanning across Kentucky to support the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and local agencies, ensuring that every project begins with precise, high-resolution data that reduces rework and enhances design accuracy.

Our survey teams deliver:

• Accurate 3D mapping for roadway, bridge, and drainage projects

• Improved design accuracy and reduced field conflicts

• Faster turnaround on deliverables for complex corridors and structures

• Integration-ready data for OpenRoads Designer (ORD) and GIS platforms

US 42 / I-264 Interchange – Jefferson County, KY

As part of Phase I Design for the I-264/US 42 Interchange Reconstruction—including the widening of I-264 between KY 1447 and I-71 and improvements to the I-71/I-264 Interchange—Palmer Engineering performed terrestrial scans along recently constructed segments of I-264, I-71, US 42, and the KY 22 slip ramp.

Key details:

• Updated LOJIC LiDAR mapping for areas affected by recent construction

• Provided District 5 with an updated surface to support development of as-built plans

• Located above- and below-ground utilities and performed drainage surveys for preliminary design

KY 4 (New Circle Road) – Fayette County, KY

Palmer Engineering performed Phase II Design to widen New Circle Road from Georgetown Road to Boardwalk Avenue, including interchange reconstruction at Newtown Pike.

To support design accuracy, terrestrial scans were performed along New Circle Road to establish precise existing pavement surfaces for overlay strategies.

Survey and QA highlights:

• Dense grid of control points set at 300-foot intervals along the shoulder

• Overlapping scans supplemented with reflectorless breakline shots on median barrier walls

• Check shots taken to verify accuracy of the surface model

• The final scan-based surface was merged with project mapping for use in design deliverables

This process ensured a smooth and reliable base surface for Phase II roadway improvements.

KY 11 Bridge over CSX Railroad – Knox County, KY

Palmer Engineering used terrestrial scanning to develop a 3D model of the existing bridge over the CSX Railroad in support of bridge widening and approach improvements.

Scope of work:

• Captured detailed substructure elevations for reuse of existing piers

• Modeled existing and proposed geometry to support superstructure reconstruction

• Added right- and left-turn lanes for improved traffic flow

• Located all utilities, property lines, and drainage features to address flooding issues

The high-resolution scan data provided the foundation for accurate bridge design, reducing field conflicts during construction.

US 68 / KY 55 Corridor – Green & Taylor Counties, KY

Under a Statewide Survey Contract, Palmer Engineering prepared mapping for 6.1 miles of the US 68/KY 55 corridor from Airport Road to the Marion County line.

Scanning and verification services included:

• Partnering with a sub-consultant for mobile LiDAR data collection

• Establishing horizontal and vertical control

• Labeling and verifying topographic features and drainage structures

• Performing spot checks to validate LiDAR accuracy

• Merging mobile LiDAR with aerial LiDAR to create a complete design surface

The resulting high-accuracy mapping supported a District 4 in-house 2+1 roadway design, providing a reliable surface model for engineering and drainage evaluation.