MOBILE GPS/GIS MAPPING FOR POLES AND VEGETATION

EGUG MEETINGNASHVILLE

OCTOBER 10,2007

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

• Technology Overview– System components– Data Extraction

• Detection• Recognition• Results

• Applications & Benefits• Discussion

TECHNOLOGY

Highly productive land and aerial data collection solutions as applied to linear infrastructure assets over large territories.

WHY COLLECT DATA

• INVENTORY• SAFETY• MAINTENANCE• EMERGENCY RESPONSE• REGULATORY

HOW TO POPULATE DATA FOR GIS APPLICATIONS

• MANUAL FIELD DATA COLLECTION• ACCURATE BUT EXPENSIVE • SLOW. • SAFETY ISSUES.

FIELD DATA COLLECTION MOBILE MAPPING APPROACH

Has been used for sometime but the real advancement has come in

past few years

ADVANCED MOBILE MAPPING

• Technology filtered through CIA/ FBI AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES

TYPES OF MODES

• VAN BASED OR HELICOPTER BASED DATA COLLECTION

Variable Vehicle ConfigurationsVariable Vehicle Configurations

TECHNOLOGY WHERE APPLICABLE

_ Public Sector (Train, Bus, etc.)– Transportation (Road, Rail, Maritime, etc.)– Utilities (Telecom, Electric, Cable,

Gas, etc.)– Public Works (Municipalities, Counties,

etc.)– Real Estate (Addressing, Property

Assessment, etc.)– Public Safety (Homeland Security,

Emergency Services, etc.)

Hardware componentsHardware components

• Digital camera and other sensors. Multi • spectral cameras for foliage and vegetation• Inertial measurement unit• Differential GPS receiver• Data acquisition software - Kronos• Rack mount industrial computers• 2-D scanning laser (for automated detection)

DATA ACQUISITION-VIDEO LOGGING

TRIDENT -3D

Data extraction based on photogrammetric principles using only one camera (US Patent Pending)

Data extraction based on photogrammetric principles using only one camera (US Patent Pending)

FILE FORMATS

• During capture, images are recorded to AVI OR JPG files.

• Each image has GPS data, Time and Date, Linear information, as well as quality of GPS data.

• Position in X, Y & Z; sub- metric

• Length, height, area measurements

• Zoom function

• 3D Map interface

• Integrated GIS functions

• ODBC connectivity

• And more…

• Position in X, Y & Z; sub- metric

• Length, height, area measurements

• Zoom function

• 3D Map interface

• Integrated GIS functions

• ODBC connectivity

• And more…

Data Extraction Software Interface

Data Extraction Software Interface

DATA EXTRACTION

• MANUAL

• AUTOMATIC WITH UTILITY SOFTWARE

Manual Asset Extraction

Approximately 2 minutes per assetLocation extraction from user manipulationMeasurements from user manipulation (high level)

• Market pressure dictates need to reduce time and economic resources required for surveys

• 2 Dimensional laser scanning device is mounted on survey vehicle

• Collects a wealth of data• Automation of:

DetectionLocationRecognitionMeasurements

AUTOMATION

AUTOMATION

• The Laser’s intensity return is located on the image bit map and combined with pattern recognition using a library to identify assets.

• Image capture frequency can be per requirements based on distance or time

•Agglomeration of points are objects

•3D objects are distinct

•Generate a 3D point cloud

Automatic Asset Detection

•Geographical position assigned & measurements made

•Achieved through the use of filters and parameters

•Assets distinguished from surrounding environment

Automatic Asset Detection

•Asset identified as matching template from database

•Road sign libraries such as MUTCD can be used

Automatic Asset Detection

GIS CONNECTION

• ESRI Shape file export (SHP, SHX, DBF)• ODBC connectivity

– Connects layers to any ODBC data source (SQL server, Oracle, Access, DB2, etc.)

• Support for Relations– E.g. one support with traffic signals and multiple signs

• API to connect to Asset Management, GIS Clients, etc.

• Survey performed on Route 148 in Quebec, Canada (between Lachute & Gatineau)

• Evaluation of precision, timing, detection and accuracy rates of automated technology vs. manual extraction

CONTROL STUDY OF AUTOMATION

TEST• Length 23.7 miles

(37.8 km)• 416 signs detected,

located and measured

• Processing time 90 sec

Verification• 16 false detections

(<9%)• 1 missed sign (<1%)

Preliminary Testing of Automation

AUTOMATION-PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Manual Semi-AutoDetection / Locating / Measurement time

120 sec. / sign

15 sec. /sign

Detection rate 100 % 99 %False detection 0 % 9 % (*urban)Location precision* Sub-Meter Sub-Meter

APPLICATIONS

• Utility 3D Modelling

APPLICATIONS-CONT’D

• Utility Measurements– Pole Heights– Connection Heights– Cable Clearances– Cable Separations

8 m

Other Applications

• Pole Detection• Tree Detection• Shoulder profiling• Curb height measurements• Clearance measurements• Reflectivity measurements• Limitless possibilities……

Other Applications for Automation

Pave Application: 

Viewing multiple perspectives of pavement segment and distresses

Other Applications

Wastewater Application: 

Viewing above ground infrastructure impact with SEWER MAIN CCTV

Other Applications

Change Detection Application: 

Compare change in area over time.

Other Applications

Simulation Application: 

Placing CAD objects spatially on images for simulating sight barrier to power lines.

Other Applications

Aerial / Land perspective Application: 

Viewing side by side Aerial Land images.

Applications Video Synchronization Temperal Comparisons

Early Winter Early Spring

Side by Side comparison shows that the billboard has changed and the house has been demolished

• TRANSPORTATION & MUNICIPALITIES:

• Inventory of infrastructures & assets

• Automatic road sign detection and inventory

• Safety equipment (guardrails, reflectors, etc.)

• Traffic & street lights

• Pavement lines, markings, etc.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRICITY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• Geopositioning of poles

• Identification of plates such as IRD, etc.

• Equipment identification

• Etc.

Benefits

• Less costly and more efficient than traditional surveying methods– Reduces operational costs– Does not slow or impede traffic– No workers on the roadside

• Availability– Great Management Tool– Data is accessible throughout the year

• An integrated approach– Open, modular & portable hardware– Tightly coupled link to GIS– Parallax created through single camera (lower

cost)– User friendly & based on geo-referenced image

data• QA/QC & quality management

– Real time quality control during acquisition & extraction

– ISO 9001

Benefits

Why?

Office Analysis

Automation Comparison

QUESTIONS?

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Ashok Wadwani• 281 579 0492• afdsaw@aol.com