Measuring Velocity and Discharge of High Turbidity Rivers Using an Improved Near-Field Remote-Sensing Measurement System

Abstract

Large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) is a computer vision-based technique renowned for its precise and efficient measurement of river surface velocity. However, a crucial prerequisite for utilizing LSPIV involves camera calibration. Conventional techniques rely on ground control points, thus restricting their scope of application. This study introduced a near-field remote-sensing measurement system based on LSPIV, capable of accurately measuring river surface velocity sans reliance on ground control points. The system acquires gravity-acceleration data using a triaxial accelerometer and converts this data into a camera pose, thereby facilitating swift camera calibration. This study validates the system through method verification and field measurements. The method verification results indicate that the system’s method for retroactively deriving ground control-point coordinates achieves an accuracy exceeding 90%. Then, field measurements were performed five times to assess the surface velocity of the Datong River. These measured results were analyzed and compared with data collected from the radar wave velocity meter (RWCM) and the LS1206B velocity meter. Finally, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of each parameter was conducted to identify those significantly impacting the river’s surface velocity. The findings revealed that this system achieved an accuracy exceeding 92% for all river surface velocities measured.