3D Laser Mapping is set to revolutionise the investigation of motorway collisions in England following the award of GBP 2.7 million (USD 4.2 million) by the Department of Transport. The funding will enable 27 police forces across England to purchase 3D laser scanners - used to collect highly detailed, 3D images of crash sites up to 50 percent faster than traditional survey techniques. 3D Laser Mapping has established itself as the primary supplier of laser scanning technology for collision investigation.

Equipment supplied by 3D Laser Mapping is already being used to drive down the GBP 1 billion annual cost of congestion caused by collisions on motorways. Its RIEGL scanners have reduced the time spent collecting evidence at the scene, in turn reducing road closure times by an average of 90 minutes. Data from the scanners is used to produce high quality graphics and detailed plans of collision scenes for use in subsequent enquiries and court cases.

Richard Auty, Senior Collision Investigator in the Metropolitan Police Road Death Investigation unit commented, “Having run a pilot in which we tested a number of scanners, we found the RIEGL laser scanner collected 30 percent more data, in less than half the time of any other Pulse scanner and it has helped us cut the road closure times in London by an average of 90 minutes.”

“It is an amazing tool that has transformed how we collect evidence at collision scenes; allowing us to provide the courts with the collision scene in a virtual world and view the scene from the positions of the various parties.”

The RIEGL VZ-400 laser scanner has been proven to provide a significantly greater level of detail and colour compared to other laser scanners and can be used during the day, even in low light conditions, and at night. The VZ-400 was also significantly faster than other laser scanner devices in the independent trials. Comparison of the Riegl with total station surveying, widely used by Police Forces across the country, identified an on-site time saving in the region of 50 percent.

Contacts: Charlie Whyman, 3D Laser Mapping Ltd, charlie.whyman@3dlasermapping.com tel: +44 (0) 1949 838 004, www.3dlasermapping.com