The mobile data collection system includes a positioning system, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and/or an Inertial Navigation System (INS), to generate position and time data. A down looking line scan camera for mounting on a vehicle, obtains a series of line scan images of a path, such as a road. A data collection controller is connected to the positioning system and the line scan camera to associate the line scan images with the corresponding position and time data. A database stores the line scan images and associated corresponding position and time data. An image processor identifies and marks features in the line scan images.