CIG Ottawa Branch

 UAS Applications for Local Area Mapping and Volumetric Measurement

With the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), new applications are emerging for local area mapping purposes. This presentation looks at using low altitude high-resolution UAS photo imagery for the creation of highly accurate point clouds, which are then in turn used for local area mapping, volumetric measurement, and change detection purposes.

 

Imagery was collected using a Nikon camera, flown on an Aibotix multicopter, over an aggregate pit located in Phelpston, Ontario. The Aibot flight was planned and flown, the imagery and GPS data was then combined with the camera information. The resulting data was then processed using an automated workflow to create an orthomosaic, RGB encoded point cloud, and a digital surface model. Using this data various analytics were performed.

 

Given the precision of the point cloud, highly accurate volume measurements were extracted, and compared with other software based methodologies. Changes in volume were also calculated using a second point cloud. The point cloud was then classified to identify ground, vegetation, buildings and other features within the scene. Findings indicated that UAS derived imagery can be used to accurately determine the volume of aggregate piles visible within the imagery. Practical applications include; estimations for the quantity of truckloads required for construction or landscape purposes. The methodology could also be used to measure the amount of debris deposited by a landslide, or snow or salt contained in pile. In conclusion, UAV systems can be deployed quickly and efficiently for generating accurate volumetric output and for general purpose ortho-mapping.

 

Brad Schmidt

Business Development Consultant

Intergraph Canada

 

Brad Schmidt is a Business Development Consultant with Intergraph Canada focusing on Intergraph’s extensive suite of geospatial imaging products and solutions. Brad has more than 25 years’ experience working within the Geomatics Industry, he’s been a business owner, educator, technical specialist, and has extensive experience working in management, business development, and sales. Prior to joining Intergraph, Brad served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at PCI Geomatics and was responsible for PCI’s global sales operations. Prior to joining PCI Geomatics in 2004, he was the Director of the Mapping & GIS Solutions Division for Intergraph’s operations in the Middle East, where he spent 10 years managing the implementation of geospatial solutions. Some of the areas that Brad is experienced in include remote sensing, photogrammetry, and geographic information systems.

He holds a Master of Science degree in Geography with a specialization in remote sensing from the University of Calgary and an Honors Undergraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. He has also completed a series if post degree studies in geology and remote sensing from the University of Waterloo.