Extraction of Variable-Depth Milling Parameters for Asphalt Pavements Based on Point Cloud

In China, road maintenance milling typically employs uniform-depth milling, where the milling machine operates at a fixed depth without considering the actual conditions of pavement. Addressing this limitation, this article proposes an innovative method for extracting variable-depth milling parameters for asphalt pavements based on point cloud data. By using point cloud elevation data and extracting mileage-elevation information from road edges, the study calculates the milling design elevations by subtracting a predetermined minimum milling depth for each edge. A moving window approach is employed, applying smoothing operations and boundary fitting to obtain precise height measurements. The analysis results show that preconstruction international roughness index (IRI) values were significantly higher than those post-construction. The analysis results indicate a significant reduction in the IRI values after construction compared to preconstruction levels. The average preconstruction IRI was 5.70 m/km, which decreased to 1.66 m/km post-construction. The proposed method demonstrated a notable improvement in road surface smoothness and provided an effective solution to the limitations of traditional milling techniques.