Abstract: A surface-profiling system (20) and a process (32) for implementing same are presented. The system (20) incorporates a vehicle (40) configured to move upon a surface (24). A projector (38) is affixed to the vehicle (40) and configured to project two-dimensional patterns (22) at a first angle (52) substantially perpendicular to the surface (24). A camera (48) is also affixed to the vehicle (40) and configured to capture images (50) of the projected patterns (22) from a second angle (54) oblique to the surface (24) as the vehicle (40) moves over the surface (24). A computer (72) is configured to produce a transverse profile (26) of the surface (24) from each captured image (50) and configured to derive a longitudinal profile (28) of the surface (24) from a series (126) of the transverse profiles (26).