ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Application of mobile mapping technology in automating inventory and legal compliance checks for advertising signs and devices
1
Department of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Systems, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology, Plac Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland
2
Department of Cadastre and Land Management, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology, Plac Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-06-12
Final revision date: 2026-06-17
Acceptance date: 2026-07-20
Publication date: 2026-09-21
Corresponding author
Marcin Karabin
Department of Cadastre and Land Management, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology, Plac Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland
Department of Cadastre and Land Management, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology, Plac Politechniki 1, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland
Reports on Geodesy and Geoinformatics 2026;122:23-35
KEYWORDS
outdoor advertisingspatial orderspatial analyses360-degree photo documentationlaser scanninglandscape resolution
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The increasing number of advertisements in public spaces, combined with ineffective control mechanisms, leads to growing visual pollution in urban areas. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a semi-automated workflow for the inventory and legal compliance assessment of advertising signs and devices using mobile mapping data and geographic information system (GIS) tools. The analysis of legal regulations reveals that their complexity significantly hampers the processes of recording, monitoring, and conducting administrative proceedings. To address these challenges, a methodology based on data collected using a mobile mapping system was developed. This system includes Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanners, a 360-degree camera, and a Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)/ Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) positioning unit, enabling rapid and accurate spatial data collection. The proposed solution covers the entire process -- from field data acquisition, through processing, legal and spatial analysis, to support for administrative procedures. Research results confirm the high effectiveness of the proposed approach, demonstrating a clear advantage of mobile laser scanning (MLS) technology over traditional inventory methods in terms of accuracy and operational efficiency. Dedicated software tools were also developed, extending the functionality of the open-source QGIS software. The Street3D application enables comprehensive recording, verification, and analysis of advertising devices in compliance with current regulations. This methodology can significantly support municipal authorities in shaping an orderly, functional, and aesthetically pleasing public space.
FUNDING
This publication was financially supported by the statutory funds of the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw University of Technology.
AUTHORS' CONTRIBUTIONS
Conceptualization, K.Z., M.K. and P.K.; methodology, K.Z.; software, K.Z.; validation, P.K.; formal analysis, M.K. and P.K.; writing---original draft preparation, K.Z and M.K.; writing---review and editing, M.K. and P.K.; visualization, K.Z.; supervision, P.K.. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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| eISSN: | 2391-8152 |
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