All posts by Linda Duffy
A New Perspective with Drone Photogrammetry
Geotechnical engineers say drones offer a safer, faster method of data collection to identify potential geohazards and assist with mitigation along vulnerable transportation corridors. Mountain roadways are prime locations for geohazards, such as rockfalls, landslides, and debris flows. These events result in road closures, injuries, and property damage, sometimes triggered by thaw/freeze cycles or...
Surveying for Safety at Waipio Valley
Lush vegetation, beautiful ocean vistas, and a historic Hawaiian valley provide the setting for a complex engineering project that addresses technical and cultural concerns. The Waipio Valley on the island of Hawaii has great historical significance within Hawaiian culture. Known as the Valley of Kings, it was home to many generations of the royal family...
Built for Danger
While the operator stays safe, indoor drones carrying lidar and SLAM technology create a 3D map of the inside of hazardous spaces Nuclear power plants, ballast tanks, underground mines, toxic chemical plants, sewers, offshore oil storage, decommissioned industrial facilities—none of these are places suitable for humans; yet monitoring and inspection of the interiors are often...
New Digital World Needs Data
Next-generation surveyors require specialized education and training to fill the role of geospatial data specialists. Many emerging geospatial applications, such as digital twins, 3D modeling, monitoring, virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles, are based on big digital datasets. Building a 3D digital world starts with accurate data that ties to a point on the ground, so...
The Ocean Mapping Imperative
Wind and solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles offer a boost to global surveying efforts. Since 2017, the Seabed 2030 initiative has raised awareness about the importance of mapping the entire seafloor to support a healthy and resilient ocean for the well-being of the entire planet. This partnership between the Nippon Foundation, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO),...
Upgrading GIS for a Better 911
The complex system of emergency call routing and critical location data delivery is getting a makeover Minutes can make a difference between life and death for 911 callers. A quick response with suitable equipment and knowledgeable personnel is the goal of 911 call centers across the country. However, managing calls and texts from mobile phones...
