Automated Identification technology of Trees Endangering to Distribution Facilities by using Mobile Mapping System

Abstract

In general, electric power companies trim trees on a regular basis to prevent the failure of power distribution equipment as a result of contact with trees. Currently, the process of trimming trees around power distribution equipment involves visual observation to determine trees that need to be trimmed and manually creating instruction documents for trimming. These methods have issues from the perspectives of quality and effort.On the other hand, practical use of 3D laser scanners has grown in recent years, and certain electric power companies in Europe and North America manage their tree trimming activity using a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that is equipped with 3D laser scanners. However, since power distribution equipment is set up roughly 10m above ground, if trees are covering the top of medium-voltage lines, it would be difficult to measure the separation from above. There are also issues with legal compliance for flight UAV, since the equipment tends to be constructed near residential homes and streets.Therefore, this study focused on MMS (Mobile Mapping Systems) that combine on-board 3D laser scanners with complete perimeter cameras and conducted actual measurements under various conditions. Additionally, we developed an automated system that uses 3D data to determine which trees need to be trimmed, measure their volume, and create a trimming instruction document and evaluated how suitable it is to be applied for work.