Roadway Surface Modeling

Throughout 2017 I have been working with several survey partners in Oregon to develop a cost-efficient method of producing high quality ground surface models from UAV imagery. From testing on various roadways around the Portland metro area I have developed specific aerial acquisition and modern photogrammetry processing techniques which produce a high resolution surface model that exceeds traditional accuracy standards for professional land surveying. The full-color 3D models created from this process can be used to create Digital Terrain/Elevation Models (DTM/DEM), Digital Surface Models (DSM), and roadway contours. This reality-capture data can also be integrated into existing CAD designs and used for feature extraction. Traditional survey provides a triangulated irregular network (TIN) surface by connecting ground points measured throughout a project with the detail of the surface determined by how many points are manually surveyed. With a photo-derived colorized point cloud this surface is created typically from over 100 million points, similar to much more expensive LiDAR surveys but in full color and at a fraction of the cost.

• Cost Effective - Reduce the # of surveyors needed on site.
• Time Savings - A half mile roadway can be fully surveyed in under an hour.
• Turnaround Time - In less than 24 hours a client can have a detailed surface model delivered
• Accuracy - When combined with aerial survey targets cm-level X,Y,Z accuracy is achievable.
• Higher Resolution - Surface created from a point cloud density of over 2,000 points per square meter.
• Ultra High Resolution Orthomosaic with sub-cm pixel size of entire roadway WITH CARS REMOVED!
• Accurate centerline, pavement edges, and curb polylines derived from point cloud analysis

Viewshed Analysis

Are you a property owner in danger of losing your scenic view because of proposed construction? Or perhaps you are someone looking to build and would like to better visualize what the view from your 2nd story deck will look like once the project is completed? In combination with professionally surveyed ground control points a survey-grade 3D model of any location can be created from UAV aerial imagery. This reality-capture model can then be accurately measured and analyzed in a GIS or CAD environment to quantify view obstructions in any direction. If there are multiple options for construction these can all be accurately modeled to within an inch of where they would be once built and measurements can be accurately quantified for project decision making. Because these models have been created using surveyed points from a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) and processed by a Certified Photogrammetrist (CP) with modern software these datasets are an unbiased record that will stand up to scrutiny in court.

• Accurate geospatial modeling of your property and surroundings
• True-Color 3D model and mesh viewable online by all parties
• Unbiased dataset that will stand up to scrutiny in court
• Professional support at any legal proceedings if desired
• Added benefit of beautiful aerial imagery of your property & 3D model
• Ability to determine viewable subject matter from any point in model
• Quantifiable measurements, not guesswork.

Let Me Help Make Your Program A Success

Is your construction or engineering company developing it's own UAV program for inspections or reality capture? Do you have the expertise on staff to make this program a success? As a Certified Photogrammetrist and Mapping Scientist in Remote Sensing with 10 years of experience working reality capture point cloud data sets derived from LiDAR and modern photogrammetry I can ensure you have both the proper sensor technology as well as processing tools to complete your projects. Throughout 2017 I have worked with a strategic partner to provide high quality UAV reality-capture data sets to some of the countries largest construction firms for integration into their CAD design software. I can help your company bridge the frequent disconnect between the CAD world of architects and the geospatial world of GIS and remote sensing. Understanding the correct lighting conditions, camera settings, and software processing settings are as important to the success of your program as purchasing your your first UAV Platform. So too, is understanding which technology is appropriate for your needs and which is overkill and too costly. Let me help you realize the full potential of this new disruptive technology in your business.

• FAA Part 107 training for potential staff UAV Pilots
• Consultation on which sensor is most apprpriate for each desired application (ex: Farro vs. UAV vs. Stationary Camera).
• Best Acquisition and Data Processing Practices
• Data Review and Verification of Accuracy.
• On-Call backup for any rapid turnaround time needs.
• Tailor made solution consultation for unique projects
• Purchase consultation and continued technological support

Certified Vendor for Construction

Does your company prefer to use 3rd party vendors for it's reality-capture and BIM work or are you investigating new technologies available on the market and would like a demo? If so I am here to assist. Working with partners who are already certified vendors with several large constructions firms I now have many highly successful UAV reality-capture construction projects under my belt. As a fully-insured commercial UAV pilot with a flawless safety record, years of flight planning experience and over a decade of aerial data processing experience I am ready to cost-effectively meet your project needs and introduce you to the newest cutting-edge technology for your industry. Anyone with a drone can fly a construction site, but not everyone is a certified geospatial industry professional with 10 years experience as a remote sensing data scientist designing and processing survey-grade datasets for a living. If you have tried other vendors let me show you a clear difference.

• Detailed pre-flight planning with client to ensure success
• Full site acquisition at your choice of resolution
• Active communication throughout project
• 24-hour turnaround time possible if desired
• Sub-cm geospatial accuracy when used with control points
• Full report with accuracy statistics
• Any transformation or conversion of the data for integration into CAD suites

Traditional Aerial Survey

I have established close relationships with some of the top local and nationwide aerial acquisition firms. These trusted partners use a wide variety of aircraft from helicopters and Cessna Caravans to pressurized jets which can fly at high altitude for maximum ground coverage. When provided a Google Earth KML of a project location and size getting a quote for acquisition from these platforms is only a phone call away. Having worked with these companies for years I help clients understand what their options are for acquisition in terms of most appropriate sensor, data resolution, and pricing. Once the best solution is found I then work with the flight and sensor teams at these companies to ensure that the data is captured in the most successful manner for the data processing needs. Yes, we now currently live in what many call the "drone age" but until the laws preventing beyond line of site (BVLOS) operation change often times the best, most cost effective solution is to use a traditional aircraft capable of carrying a more substantial and heavier sensor.

• Easily scalable to very large projects up to millions of acres
• Acquisition Time Savings - minimum weight restrictions, higher flying heights allow larger sensors to capture more data in a shorter time.
• Fine Tuning - With a sensor operator on-board, adjustments can be made during acquisition to ensure the highest data quality
• Fewer Restrictions - Less airspace and fuel range restrictions provide ability to capture data where drones are banned
• Cost-Effective at times - Until BVLOS evolve traditional aircraft are still more cost-effective
• Data Size - Ability to fly higher with ultra high resolution sensors often means less data and faster processing

UAV

I once worked on a project where a client paid over $10,000 for an orthomosaic of their small property because it meant re-routing a plane with a multi-million dollar camera in it to acquire the site. This is a great example of when UAV acquisition is most appropriate. Anything project area that can be flown from the ground with line of site to the UAV is another good example. But, as projects grow in size there are diminishing benefits as hours of acquisition become days and data processing strains build up. Another big determination is the resolution desired. If a project has low resolution and low accuracy requirements a traditional survey may be more appropriate but if the client desires ultra-high resolution and accuracy for a small enough area UAV is the perfect choice.

The next question is which sensor to use. For some jobs such as clients looking for accurate ground models in highly vegetated areas an expensive LiDAR sensor and heavy-lift UAV platform solution is required but using that same solution for a hard surface area model like a short roadway surface is often completely overkill and unnecessarily expensive for the client. With experience with LiDAR, Hyperspectral, Thermal and Multispectral data I can explain which will work best for the subject matter you want to capture and which are overkill for your needs.

• Safety - Survey dangerous environments that terrestrial surveying can't.
• Cost Savings - Lower operation, maintenance and mobilization expenses
• Spatial Resolution - Ability to fly closer to subject matter
• Temporal Resolution - Often easier to re-capture for change detection studies
• Speed - Rapid deployment with autonomous missions
• Often better and faster coverage than terrestrial scanners
• Company reputation for staying on the cutting edge of techology