UAS - Landfills: Creating Actionable Data

Bill Edmonson – Lead Mapping Product Specialist – RDOIC

Drone

Bill Edmonson

DroneUAV

Bill Edmonson

DroneUAVUAS

Bill Edmonson

UAS = Unmanned Aerial System

Bill Edmonson

UAS = Unmanned Aerial SystemOperator + Control Software + Aircraft

Bill Edmonson

UAS = Unmanned Aerial SystemOperator + Control Software + Aircraft

Bill Edmonson

DATA

Bill Edmonson

DATAThe UAS is just the tool

Bill Edmonson

How Does A UAS Work?

The UAS is not blind

Autonomous Flight - Satellites

GLONASSGNSSRTKPPK

Co-ordsWGSState PlaneXYZ

Human Controlled Flight

What is a Commercial UAS?

Gathering DATA with Photogrammetry

A Base Methodology For Creating;

• Topography / Contour• Digital Surface Models• Orthographically Correct Site Maps• Chronological Comparisons• Volume Measurements• Drainage Maps• Slope Analysis• Reclamation Progress Reports• Insurance Investigation Data• More….

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry

Photos with accurate GPS positionsallow the computer to create “points” by finding the same objects from several positions above the terrain in different photos

Data in Point Clouds

Data in Point Clouds

…this collection of points is called a point cloud

every point hasA 3D coordinate

Data in Point Clouds

Point Clouds can contain millions of relationally accurate points

Data in Point Clouds

Computer Generated Point Clouds from Photogrammetry:

• Large density of points• Points generated based on computer algorithm• High relational accuracy between points• Lower absolute accuracy to ground without extra

positional references• Overall accuracy measured as RMS error in each

axis

Points from a Terrestrial Survey (X-Y)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etc

Points from Photogrammetry (X-Y)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etcPoints from Photogrammetry

Points From a Terrestrial Survey (Z)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etc

Points From a Terrestrial Survey (Z)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etc

Photogrammetry (Z)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etcPoints from Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry (Z)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etcPoints from Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry (Z)

Base Station GPS/RTK/Total Station etcPoints from Photogrammetry

Terrestrial System Points are very accurate to surface (1.mm) and require interpolation between them.

UAS Points can be less accurate (30.mm) to surface but require less interpolation.

Flying with RTK / PPK

RTK / PPK Methodology

Onsite RTK Corrections with a Connected StationOnsite PPK Corrections from a local StationOffsite PPK Corrections from a Regional StationOnsite VRS from regional stations

Digital Surface ModelDigital Terrain ModelDigital Elevation Model

Point Cloud

3D MeshShape FilePLY file

CAD ContoursPDF Contours

Ortho-mosaic ImageKMLElevation Models

Photogrammetry

Digital Surface Model

Photogrammetry

Topographic Contours

Photogrammetry

Volume Measurements

Photogrammetry

Distance and Angle Measurements

Temperature Mapping

Infrared Photogrammetry

Plant Health Analysis

Infrared Photogrammetry

Multi-Spectral Photogrammetry

Vegetative Index NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetative Index)

Multi-Spectral Photogrammetry

Multi-Spectral Photogrammetry

Common Format Shareable Data

Other Applications

Wildlife / livestock monitoring

LIDAR mapping

Photography / videography

Security

Law enforcement

Disaster management

Search and Rescue

Actionable UAS Data

Fixed-Wing or Multi-Rotor?

Pros

• Simple• Large coverage

area• Longer flight

times• Ability to

“deadstick”• Robust• Excellent for

large surveys and agriculture

Cons

• Need approach / departure corridor

• Can’t hover• Poor choice for

inspection

Pros

• VTOL• Excellent for

inspection• Good choice for

videography

Cons

• Shorter flight times

• Small coverage area

• Not ideal for agriculture

Vertical Takeoff-Landing Fixed wing

REGULATIONS

• < 55 pounds• 400 feet above ground level (AGL) maximum altitude• 100 mph maximum speed• Must maintain visual line-of-sight• Must have a visual observer if using first-person view• Single UAV only• Prohibited from flying:

a) At nightb) Over people not directly participating in the operationc) Under a covered structured) From a moving vehicle unless in a sparsely populated areae) In Class B, C, D, and E airspace without ATC approval

AIRSPACE

AIRSPACE

AIRSPACE

FAA Permission / Waivers

PART 107 EXAM

• 60 questions• 2 hour time limit• Must score 70% or better• Designated testing facility• $150.00• Must re-test every 2 years

1. Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations,

2. Flight operation3. Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small

unmanned aircraft operation4. Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft

performance5. Small unmanned aircraft loading6. Emergency procedures7. Crew resource management8. Radio communication procedures9. Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft10. Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol11. Aeronautical decision-making and judgment12. Airport operations13. Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures.

Thank You!Bill Edmonson – Lead Mapping Product Specialist – RDOIC