A trail detection method using statistical analysis of trail features in dense forest

Abstract

Small-footprint airborne LiDAR scanning systems are effective in modelling forest structures and can also improve trail detection. We propose a trail detection method through a statistical analysis from the LiDAR points. To do that, we statistically analyze features of trails for detecting a trail and digitized each feature and combine the results to distinguish between trail and non-trail areas. Our proposed method shows the feasibility of trail detection by using airborne LiDAR points gathered in dense mixed forest.