This became Azimuth Corporation,

founded in l991 and soon included

co-pioneers Bob Eaton (electronic), Ron
Roth (systems I business), Scott Bender
(mechanical) and Paul Galla (software
<tnd eventual creator of the LAS format)
who are all still his colleagues today.
They are the technology heroes of this
story. Doug commented, "1l1e best
compliment that Azimuth routinely
received from various organizations was
that they were shocked to find out how
smalJ we were. Our business practi ces
system didn't work Azimuth would
blame their workflow and they would
blame Azimuth's sensor! Ron Roth hit
the textbooks to brush up on WGS84
geoids, atmospheric corrections and
other trajectory and system factors to
figure out where a scanned laser pulse
from a moving aircraft is hitting the
swface (not an easy feat). ''Eight mouths
later, we had the first test flight-anc:l
the first successful data collection from
the original AeroScan airborne LiDAR
system;' Doug proudly recalls. What was
What we are seeing now in 'napping, topo.
constructlon, Infrastructure, plant and mobile
scanning advances is the tip of the Iceberg. '
and products reflected those of much
larger companies:
Without any external funding,
Azimuth developed laser rangers and
profilers that measured ice deformations
on the order of 2-in. caused by volcanoes
4,000 feel under Antarctic ice, fired
braking rockets on parachute-dropped
military cargo pallets and have helped
track countless airborne and ground-
based vehicles on military test ranges. ln
1997, Earth Data (now a part of Fugro)
asked A:z.imuth to develop a high-altitude
LiDAR system to fly with imaging
systems taking USGS DOQQ images at
a 6000m flying height and 75 deg FOV.
Doug n(ltes, "No other vendor had that
capability, so we won the contract:'
Doug's team assumed that they
would do the sensor and Earth Data
would do the software. 1l1ey assumed
\Vrong; EarthData feared that if the
then a 15 kilopulse-per-second system
has developed into the 500 kiJopulse-per-
second ALS70 LiDAR product family
some 15 years later.
By the year 2000, Azimuth was
manufacturing four systems per year
and selli ng them worldwide. They began
to get visits from companies interested
in a "partne1ship" and they selected LH
Systems (nowLeica Geosysterns) as
t heir new owner in 2001. "We even had
a brush with terrestrial laser scanner
development via a visit from Ben Kacyra
(Cyra Technology) looking to select a
laser ranging technology; recalls Doug.
Cyra and ERDAS were also acquired by
Leica Geosystems all within a three-
month period. Doug notes, "Now after
U years with Leica Geosyslems, the
original, small core team is still together
in Westford, MA-still setting the pace
in airborne LiDAR technology:'
Ret rospective
Doug o t s ~ T have had the great
fortune of having many bosses that were
unrelentingly driven to achieve, succeed
and generally not let failure get in the
way of their goals. From them l have
learned good marketing skills in high-
tech, high-dollar optical t:apital equip-
ment markets-both commercial and
aerospace. Most impor.tantly, I learned
from each of these mentors how to think
strategically and tactically for product
development and market exploitation.
1l1ere are sti ll not many organizations
that consistently define their corporate
vision and then devise the strategy,
roadmaps, goals & objectives, tactics
and operations to successfully pursue
that vision:'
Concerning the current state of the
industry Doug bel ieves that airborne
and terrestrial laser scanning technology
doubles its hardware performance
approximately every two years. That
now the real race is in integrated work-
flows, fused sensor data and information
management and distribution. It's all
about end-to-end 3D-reality capture,
reality modeling and visualization.
BIM, indoor and mobile mapping, and
photogrammetry I machine vision join
LiDAR as the hot technologies and
markets chased by the industry today.
"The problem with cutting-edge,
high-tech systems is they create a
constant stream of development
challenges. Anyone in this industry
occasionally longs to be a bartender,
or some less stressful profession. I love
laser scanning, but competing in lower
complexity product markets could add
years to my life;' comments Doug.
Doug notes that Google Earth and Bing
have brought 3D and maps to everyone.
This has greatly accelerated the demand
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 LADAR 59
RECENT FEATURES
Change in the Point Cloud
Change detection\deformation analysis is a topic of great interest when
working with LIDAR and other remote sensing data sets. For the sake of
clarity, change detection is referred to as solely figuring out if and where
there has been change, or if things are the same and is not concerned
with the magnitude, or how much change has taken place.
MICHAEL OLSEN
Efficient Measurement of Bridge and Overhead
Structure Clearance Information at Posted
Higl1way Speeds
For most DOTs, knowledge of vertical clearances between the paved
roadway surface and vertical structures is an important piece of informa-
tion that supports the routing of oversized permit vehicles. In addition,
horizontal clearances under overhead structures between fixed objects
such as bridge columns, railings and median barriers are also i mportant
to ensure oversized objects do not impact the structure.
JASON AMADOR!
Look-Up in the Air. It's a Bird. It's a Plane ...
No It's Just Another Drone
Drones have been the center of attention recently in the news. especially
from their usage as a military tool . The United States war efforts have
credited much of thei r recent success to the use of large military drones
to track and target hotspots.
FRAN RABUCK
RECENT B L DG POSTS
Lnser Scnnning Vibrometry
lllino1s Clearinghouse Offers LiDAR Data
A Day to Remember
DIY Tirne of Fligl1t Scanner
3D Printers for Peace
RECENT NEWSLETTERS
Gila R1ver lnd1an Community: Change Detection;
Least Squares
Geomat1cs Engineering Programs: The Gila
Reservation: UAVs
Mob1le UDAR Accuracy: 3D Bridge Clearances;
Zeb 1 Rev1ew
Mob1le LIDAR Guidelines: Digital Preservation
of CA Missions
SPAR Edit1on, Live from Colorado Springs
DID- U-KNOW: There are many more unique articles on LIDARnews.com.
just a few are listed above. We Invite you to visit our archive and browse the rest of the site.
2 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
IN THIS ISSUE COLUMNS
a
14
20
26
Tammg a Wi ld Survey
32 Aerial Mapping Technology: 61 Random Points: Generalized Data
Environment
Low-Altitude Aenal Mapping LEWIS GRAHAM
Advances In LIDAR technology,
Photography (LAMP) Goethals
including bathymetric sensors and
Bridge Replacement ProJect
64 The Business of Laser Scanning:
modelling confidence In ArcGIS,
An extremely Important bridge Somethtng Is Misstng
provide geospatial modeling and
replacement project that had to be KENSMERZ
mapping.
documented correctly the first time.
KAREN RICHARDSON
KURT LUTZ
Integrating 3D Surface and
DEPARTMENTS
38 Scan Twice-Cut Once
Sub-surface Dnta for Heritage
Installing the cladding on complex
4
P1eservat1on and Planning
cuNed surfaces for a pedestrian
The integration of above ground
bridge near Toronto, Canada benefits
laser scanned data with below
from 30 scanning.
ground geophysical data Is slowly BILL GUTEUUS
starting to take place.
52
MARGARET S. WATTERS AND 46 Leveraging Mobile Laser
STEPHEN WILKES
Scanning Services
The LiDAR Standards
Teaming Is required to stay current
with the major challenge of rapid
58
Opportun1y
advances in 30 technology.
The UDAR industry is missing an JODY LOUNSBURY
opportunity to leverage nearly 20
years of spatial data standards work.
55 Validation of Data Density and
BART DE LATHOUWER
Data Void of Aerial L.DAR Da a
Intent Defines Process
If you have wondered about the
quality of your airborne LIDAR data.
As laser-scanned data changes
this article will help to understand
hands the original intent should be
how to analyze it
part of the metadata accompanying
DR. SRINI DHARMAPURI CP. PMP
the project files.
LIDAR SCIENTIST
JOHN RUSSO
GUICK- FIND: Our digital edition offers searchabllity. hotllnks, video and more.
The search-glass Icon or flnd bar is accessible on any tablet or computer.
From the Editor:
3D Data lntegrntion
GENE ROE. PS, PE. PHD
Product Review:
LIDAR Analyst 5.1
JARLATH O'NEIL-DUNNE
Industry Pioneers: Doug Fhnt.
VP-Buslness Development,
Geospalial Solutions DIVIsion
o letea Geosystems
GENE ROE, PS, PE, PHD
LiDARToGo!
Get the most from this
magazine on your
tablet or laptop.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 LJDAR 1
3D Data Integration
W
elcome to the "User Group" edition of Li DAR Magazine. We
will be distributing the magazine in ] nne at Bic.gl
:md Optech'c; ILI.iC 2013; and then at the ''big dog"- the [sri
<....onft>rl.'rKe, the Sur:yey_Summit and the new one for me-the ill
;md LiDAR r ll!'Um in early July. It's going to be a busy month.
Let's start with a quick recap for those of you who did not attend
SffiR :!01].. Michael Jones the Chief Technology Advocate at Google
gave a very disruptive key note presentation which included an otftr
to pay $1 billion for an underwater scanner that would be suitable
for mapping the world's oceans. Michael is an original thinker and
thought leader who st::es the W<Jrld from a different perspective than
most of us. I'm glad he is interested in mapping.
1l1e keynote by Prof. (em) Heinz Ruther, Principal Investigator of the
Zamani Project was also very impressive. His recent llcle in LiDAR
Magazine de.scribed the work that he is doing in Africa to document
and preserve cultural heritage. Unfortunately this important work may
be coming to an end as Prof. Ruther explained that his funding is going
to run out soon. That would certainly be a loss to all of us. If you have
any thoughts on how to help him please let me know.
On the new technology front it seemed that low cost, handheld
scanners were quite popular in the SPAR 2013 exhibit hall. These
induded the zrR I from 3D L11ser Mapping and from start-up Oot
Product 3D a tablet-based, 3D imaging solution for under $5,000.
/\utodesk had a large presence for the first time as they were launching
their !ZeCap platform strategy. The views of the Rocky Mountains from
the Broadmoor were as pretty a site as you could see an}"Vhere.
l n case you missed this entitled "Laser Scanning is Not
a Luxury!" I want to call your attention to it. Actually this statement
comes from Tocci Construction a progressive Boston, Massachusetts
firm that is a leader in Building Information Modeling, or BIM. When
I see a construction firm make a statement like this I believe it is
signaling a major shift in attitude.
Things don't change all that fast in the construction indusby. but
when they do the impact is huge. An increase in demand for laser
scanning building documentation services was also recently docu-
mented by a civil/survey engineering firm that I spoke with. It seems
the architects are recognizing the value of investing in documenting
the as-tound conditions to avoid future change orders-amazing.
The hot topic in this issue of LiDAR News is data integration. Over half
the articles have this connection. Leading the charge is the dynamic duo
of Meg \Vaters and Stephen Wilkes (husband and wife) from the Boston
area. They are working on above- and below-ground data integration
4 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4

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www.lidamews.com
2013 Vol, 3 No. 4
Spatial Media LLC
PUBLISHER Allen E. Cheves
publisher@spatialmedia.us
MANAGING EDITOR Gene Roe
editor@lldarnews. oom
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marc.cheves@spatialmedia.us
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stephen Clancy
Joe Croser
Lewis Graham
Rob Mellis
Ed Oliveras
Michael Olsen
Jarlath O'NeiiDunne
Fred Persl
Doug Pritchard
Michael Raphael
John Rosso
Richard Rybka
David Ward
The staff and contributing writers may be reached
via the online message center at our website.
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involving laser scanning and ground-
penetrating radar (GPR)-a major
challenge. Stephen has the laser scanning
expertise and Meg the GPR. ln their
article they argue that there is a significant
opportunity and utility in combining
subsurface geophysical data with above
ground terrestrial scanned data that is not
being addressed.
For those not familiar with GPR, from
Wlkipedia," Ground-penetrating radar
(GPR) is a method that uses
pulses to the subsurface. 1his
method uses
nclic r-.tdialioJJ in the band
(UHI- /VHF frequencies) of d1e radio
and detects the reflected sig-
nals from subsurface structures. GPR can
be used in a variety of media, including
rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and
structures. It can detect objecto;, changes
in material, and voids and cracks:
1 have also been working with the tean1
at H2H from Troy, New York on their
integration of above and below the water
surface 30 data capture. They have been
using a boat outfitted with a multibeam
side scan sonar and a MDL laser scanne1:
Their was to assess the structural
integrity of a series of navigational locks in
upstate New York. TI1ey had great results
from this impressive systems integration
effort. Their results will be the subject of a
future article.
The third combination of"above
and below" 30 data acquisition comes
from Karen Richardson. In her article
she reports on the use of a bathymetric
LiDAR in the Pacific Nmthwest to
characterize stream beds. The abil ity of
LiDAR to penetrate water depends on a
number of variables, most importandy
water clarity, but as compared to sonar
or GPR it would seem that the use of a
single sensor WOLtld have to make the
6 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
data integration task significantly easier.
However the folks at iLin"'' the systems
integ'rator for the H2H boat have certainly
streamlined that dual sensor workflow.
One of the key challenges that l
see in trying to combine data streams
&om different sensors is the coordinate
system issue. Let's take the example of
documenting a lock LL'>ing sonar and a
terrestrial laser scanner. Merging the data
at the interface of the two data sets would
require a unified frame of reference that
seamlessly ties all the data together.
In the H2H case they use a navigation
system that relies on GPS and when the
elevations are below sea level they use
negative values for Z. This seemed to
work perfecdy, at least for this example.
I would assume the same could apply to
bathymetric LiDAR. I am not swe how
depth below ground is handled with GPR.
Ideally an approach that would support
the integration of all 3D data into a single
unified model should be the ultimate goal.
On a final note, in Lewis Graham's
Random Points column in t his issue he
brings up the challenges associated with
data generalization. This would certainly
apply to bathymetric and below ground
data. I am sure the oil exploration
industry, who has been dealing with
seismic exploration for decades could
shed some Ught on this topic, but as I
learned in my Ph.D. research 35 years
ago they are notoriously t ight lipped
when it comes to sharing technology.
As the GIS pros like to say, "it's all
about data: I hope to see you soon at
one of the upcoming user conferences.
Gene Roe, LS, PE, PhD
Managing Editor & Co-Founder
LiDAR Magazine
Grldded bathymetric and ground returns produced
in ArcGIS of the Sandy River at the confluence of tile
Columbia River. The model is colored by height from ground.
TAMING A WILD
SURVEY ENVIRONMENT
W
llt>r,ht:>cl )t iflllt"> Inc
(WSI) is a professional
services business with its
headquarters located in the lush, green
hills of Corvallis, Oregon. WSI focuses
on providing survey quali ty data for
businesses and government entities
throughout the United States, primarily
in the Pacific Northwest. The company
provides digital data for its clients in
a number of formats, including map
data for use in Esri's ArcGIS platform.
A large number of clients- including
forestry, state and local governments,
BY KAREN RICHARDSON
8 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
and environmental agencies- rely on
inteiJigent geospatial models of the
landscape to do their jobs better.
While the Pacific Northwest is known
for its expansive evergreen forests, white
water rivers, and mountainous regions,
the area doesn't always cooperate with
8 8
MA,(t) /-Site" 8200
scientist at WSI. "However, it's hard
and often dangerous to get readings all
the way to the shoreline. It is difficult
to get that final meter or two to the
bank's edge or shallow side channels.
With the Riegl sensor, WSI is able to
map the near shore and shallow-water
environments that many traditional
ground-based methods can't access, and
provide seamless data coUection with a
clear definition of the water's edge. We
give them a seamless surface model that
is complete or indicates where deeper
waters need to be mapped, ultimately
saving time on any anci ll ary surveys:
Basing a Business on a Beam
WSI is an early adopter ofLiDAR
technology, deploying its first sensor in
2004. The company began as a research
project headed by Faux at Oregon State
University in 1999 but quickly spun
The ability to fully classify topography with the bathymetric surface like this model of the
Sandy River near Lewis and Clark St ate Park has changed the process of how organizations
like WSI p1ovlde these data to clients.
out on its own and has been doing
high-resolution remote sensing and
geospatial analysis ever since.
representing the land/water interface, in
this case) are also created and inspected
in the ArcGIS environment; much of
the breakline editing and 3D modeling
''For yea1s, we scientists and researcllers have l1ad ... massive
processing powe1 required to deal with [Lidar] data. But our
clients are often on desktops or even mobile devices. Mnking
high-resolution spotial data products available to the end
clients in an ... environme 1t like ArcGIS is a huge advantage.''
To perform QA/QC checks in
this quick-paced environment, staff
members' primary tool is a hillshade
created in ArcGIS. This allows them to
inspect the quality of the derived models
and run spatial statistics. Depth models
that include breaklines (i.e., 3D polylines
-Russ Faux. WSI CEO
is inspected for accuracy in a similar
manner. "We are primari ly working in
an Esri environment:' said Cooper. "\Ve
are always looking at and deriving our
data products in ArcGlS, due to the
fact that most of our client base does its
research in this setting."
WSI's clients depend on 30 and
spatial analysis to analyze stream channel
characteristics including cross section
profiling, flood inundation, and change
detection. The ArcGTS environment has
been the standard since the start. Clients
use both ArcGIS and toolkits created
by Esri partne(S that analyze rivers in
the ArcGIS environment primarily
for habitat modeling, geomorphology
studies, and restoration projects. The
ability to pull a point cloud into a familiar
environment and change the point cloud
classifications while in that environment
has been a big advance. Another bonus
is the ability to look at multiple layers
of different information-perhaps
placing multispectral imagery on top of
a digital elevation model (DEM) or point
cloud or a polygonal area of confidentl y
mapped areas on top of a OEM. These
have always been key components of the
ArcGIS environment and continue to be
a strength.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li.DAR 11
Keeping Up with Changing
Client Requirements
"The nature of mapping has really
changed over the last few years," Faux
said. "Before, it was mostly ground map-
ping. Today, clients are expecting fully
classified point clouds and a broader
array of derived products and features:'
Faux admitted that making these large
point clouds of data available to \VSI
clients is powerful and something that
hasn't been possible for very long. "For
years, we scientists and researchers have
had high-end computers networked
together, so we've had the massive
processing power required to deal
with this data;' he said. "But our clients
are often on desktops or even mobile
devices. Making high-resolution spatial
data products available to the end clients
in a versatile and familiar environment
1ike ArcGIS is a huge
While the LAS files-public file
formats for the interchange of three-
dimensional point cloud data-have a
lot more information attached to them,
it is the derived end products that are
used more often by to do thei.r
mapping and modeling. Usi ng high-res-
olution terrain models created from the
LiDAR data, users have improved 3D
visualization power and can create limit-
less cross sections on demand- a real
full -service model. The ability to provide
these derived files and manipulate them
in ArcGIS has changed how WSI staff
gives data to their clients. WSI is now
able to fully classify the topography with
the bathymetric surface, creating a true,
continuous mapped surface.
"The technology and methodology
have changed so fast that we are now
doing full point cloud classification:
buildings, vegetation, power llnes,
submerged topography-you name
12 Li CAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Grldded bathymetric and ground returns of a sand bar along U1e Sandy River. The model Is
colored by height from ground.
it;' said Cooper. "We are now literally
mapping and integrating everything,
truly maximizing the potential that the
ArcGIS toolset
Looking Forward with LiDAR
WSI has approached LiDAR from a dif-
ferent angle since the beginning. Instead
of simply providing imagery or data, WSI
has always focused on the information
it can gain from analysis of the remotely
sensed data. The company has been
deriving slopes, channel widths, riparian
community structures, and more-all
from LiDAR data- since the start.
New technology continues to
introduce ways in which WSI staff
members use LiDAR. Shallow-water
bathymetric LiDAR is mal<ing it possible
to support an array of applications
including accurate flood modeling,
updated tsunami inundation maps, and
other hazard assessments. Bathymetric
LiDAR sensors are allowing WSI to look
more closely at environmental conserva-
tion efforts including aquatic habitat
assessments and vegetation analyses.
"LiDAR and high-resolution gee-
spatial mapping are really becoming a
staple in what people use every day;' said
Faux. "We are doing high-end work, but
technology like iPads and other mobile
devices that can display and manipulate
this data are providing access so people
can use this information more readily
than ever before at any time or place:'
For more information, contact Layne
Bennett at lbennett@watcrshedsciences.
com or 541 -752- 1204. FJ
Karen Richardson is a senior writer at Esli.
She covers stories about the use of GIS for
creating maps, data and charts including 30,
LiDAR and imagery data.
Do you spend valuable time trying to locate and prepare LAS files, orthomosaics and derivative products for your projects?
Is your LiDAR data scattered across multiple hard drives and other network repositories?
Are your customers, analysts or other stakeholders in multiple locations?
Data Doors - Now Supports Your LiDAR Data!
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ra ... nff
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Discovery - Geographically search, discover and access a copy of the original LAS file
for detailed analysis in the LiDAR, GIS or CAD software of choice.
Extract- Draw an AOI covering one or multiple LAS file footprints. DataDoors will
then clip, extract and create a new LAS file for thatAOI.
Gridding - Digital Surface Model (DSM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and Intensity.
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Data Streaming - Create WMS streams of LiDAR derivative products and ortho-
mosaics for use in web and desktop applications.
DataDoors - the first cloud-based geospatra/ data management platform - now features
robust support for your UDAR workflow with hosting, processing,f>rodua formatting and
drstribution in the cloud. Easily search and process vast volumes of UDAR and related
derivative produas and ortl1omosaics by geographic location and other metadata criteria.






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Integrating 30 Surface and
Sub-surface Data for Heritage
Preservation and Planning
D
igital3D dat.."l. capture technol-
ogy, such as laser scanning,
airborne LiDAR and ground
penetrating radar-GPR, fire on the
verge of revolutionizing the investigation
and preservation of our cultural heritage
worldwide. We think it is essential that
here in North America leading academic
programs, preservation organizations,
commercial developers and agencies
including the National Park Service take
the opportunity to explore and embrace
preservation technology that is respon-
sive, accurate, and cost effective.
The value of 3D imaging archaeological
properties through laser scanning is
beginning to be recognized by the
Historic American Buildings Survey
(HABS), Historic American Engineering
Record (HAER), and Historic j\meriGm
I .. (JjAI S). Airborne
LiDAR surveys are revealing ancient, but
subtle land forms in dense tropical jungles
in Central America that are revolution-
izing this profession. Geophysical survc)
of archaeological sites and landscapes are
increasing across the United States.
We beueve there is a significant
opportunity and utility to combining
subsurface geophysical data with above
ground terrestrial scanned data that is
not being addressed. This article will
briefly present our case for pursuing
thi s approach.
Over the past five years technological
advancement.c; are enabling the rapid
collection of multiple spatial data
sets over large geographic areas. As a
result, the measurement data collected
can be both large in scale and dense
leading sometimes to complicated data
integration and analysis. TI1is can be a
challenge for the end user who needs
specific information such as guidance
for the placement of a trench, or on a
smaller scale, a position to cut through
a floor or wall surface. While the ever
developing technologies for data capture
continue to increase survey speed and
data density, we need to engage these
techniques for more than just the novelty
of'Big Data; but to better understand the
archaeological significance of that data.
(Gaffney & Gaffney, 2011)
BY MARGARET S. WATTERS & STEPHEN WILKES
14 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
In 2011 the National Center for
Preservation Technology Training
sponsored Archaeological Survey
Technologies, Data Integration, and
Applications Workshop. and Seminar
(ASTDA) where we began to explore
the integration of above and below
ground imaging technologi es and
Figure 1: The Longfellow House-Washington's
Headquarters National Historic Site ln Cambridge.
methods. This workshop was the fust
to address the application of these
combined methods for the management
of historic properties, especially those
threatened by erosion, development,
and other destructive processes. While
this research focuses on archaeological
problem solving, the methods for data
capture, integration, and analysis are
directly transferable to more main-
stream utility, infrastructure, and Built
Environment appl ications.
Hosted at the Longfellow House-
Washington's Headquarters National
Historic Site in Cambridge, Massachusetts
(Figure 1 ), the workshop introduced
Figure 2: SuNey methods used in the workshop include GPR (SIR3000 with 400 MHz antenna). magnetometry (FM256 fluxgate
gradiometer), resistivity (TR/CIA resistance meter), conductivity (EM38), and 30 laser scanning (C10).
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li DAR 15

+
A c
..
Figure 3: The GPR reveals historic circular garden features (A) and garden beds (8). GPR and magnetometry (C) surveys ldentltled the
basement of a struct ure pre-dating the Longfellow House.
methods for non-invasive data acquisition,
such as ground penetrating radar [GPR],
electrical resistivity, magnetometry,
conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and
30 .laser scanning (Figure 2). Preliminary
data fusion integrated modeled sub-
surface features, exiting site structures,
and the related landscape in a single
spatial environment.
Equally important, the workshop
focused on how to effectively engage
the results of these methods in the
investigation, planning, and preserva-
tion of archaeological properties. The
ASTDA Seminar included participants
from groups associated with historic
propert ies: managers, developers, and
public outreach groups. The half day
seminar presented the benefits of using
this type of integrated data environ-
ment for site management and provided
information on how to successfully
integrate thi s type of approach into
their existing work flow.
16 LicAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
GIS (Geographic [nformation System)
was used to combine and interpret
spatial data that included historic,
modern, and archaeological maps,
utilities, aerial photos, and geophysical
survey results (Figure 3). While 3D
laser scanning demonstrated different
mapping contexts (interior and exterior
of standing structures and the context
of the structure in its surrounding
landscape, Figure 4) the resulting point
clouds are not easily incorporated into
the spatial environment of a GIS.
Currently there is not a simple,
affordable, off the shelf process (or
software) to convert, integrate, and
analyze these different types of above
and below ground spatial data into
a single geo-spatial environment.
Preliminary integration and visual iza-
tion was performed in Pointools
(Figure 5). While the images appear
impressive, the fundamental spatial
components of these data remain
inaccessible. Continuing research is
exploring different software approaches
that will support the combination of
these data types into a single environ-
ment that will enable both visual and
quantitative analysis of the results.
ThLo;; research is also investigating
data types from the Built Environment
including 3D laser scans, CAD utility
plans, and GPR survey (in concrete
slab and exterior environment utility
mapping). Specific goals for this aspect
of the research focus on developing a
workflow guideline for data capture,
conversion, and integration into a
single geo-spatial environment. In
addition to the development of a
workflow guideline, information on
how to effectively design a request
for proposal (RFP) document for
contracting elements of site survey
from various subcontractors will be
provided. 1l1us, from the beginning
this will enable the establishment of an
accurate site spatial control framework
(x, y, z) and present suggested data
sampling rates and methods toward
ease of data capture and integrati on
to the conversion, integration, and
analysis workflow.
With the increasing adoption of inte-
grated project delivery (IPD) the potential
and benefits of early capture, modeling.
and integration of above ground structure
and sub-surface elements can begin to
be realized. Utilization of
scanning as a basis for existing conditions
modeling and mechanical, engineering,
and plumbing (MEP) verification has
expanded rapidly over t he past four
years driven, in part, by the growth of
building information modeling (BIM)-
based developments. The application of
GPR, and multiple geophysical survey
techniques, as fundamental tools in the
investigation of concrete structure and
subsUlface utility detection has grown in
parallel while remaining largely separate
workflows. The potential expanded upon
initially in the heritage framework can be
dynamically applied to the commercial
development sectors by allowing for
a spatially accurate blending of the
building/site interface.
Trade integration through the
medium of BIM seeks to minimize
rL'ik and maximize virtual design/build
benefits born out of accurate existing
conditions modeli ng and new build
planning. Subsurface information can
18 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Figure 4: 3D laser scanning documenting interior spaces (A). architectural details (B). and the
building within i'.s surrou!'ding landscape (C).
be integrated alongside above ground
datasets in 3D. This can be achieved by
the manipulation of geophysical volume
data, particularly GPR, and del ivered in
point cloud form in a manner similar to
laser scanning data. It can al'io be taken
further by modeling geophysical anoma-
lies as solid surfaces (\\';th reasonably
applied levels of certainty dependent
on the particular technique). 1hese
Figure 5: Integrated 30 laser scan and GPR survey results in Pomtools VISUalization env1ronmenl
can then be integrated within packages
similar to Autodesk Navisworks to be
analyzed in terms of potential clash or
interference tolerances.
Key to this effoLt is the underpin-
ning of the combined techniques and
subsequent modeling by solid survey
control, established coordinate system
and vertical datum. Horizontal control is
relatively easily coordinated by specific
survey control points; targets from
laser scanning, grid points or profile
locations from geophysical surveys, or
by GPS integrated systems. The vertical
positioning of above ground 3D datasets
in relation to a specific Z datum can
be readily established. lhe relative Z
subsurface depth of geophysical survey
results depends upon accurate depth
calibration (for GPR) and specification
of local or global coordinate systems
being utilized for the survey. In terms of
the transition of building/site interface,
the ability to position the models and
data derived from these multiple sources
should not be seen as a challenge, but
more as an element of early site spatial
coordination. Final data deliverables
seek to integrate with BIM-related
products in a readily documented path.
We seek to bring together the
swvey methods and final del iverables
discussed above with currently available
off the shelf software packages. The
greater challenge may come in rethink-
ing the timing, and scale of the survey
and modeling effort when considering
a more 'traditional' commercial
development cycle. With a greater
understanding of the benefits, cost
saving, and risk management in this
approach to accessi ng the full potential
of our data, its place should be earlier in
the planning and implementation stage
of a project thus maximizing the value
of the combined data and its application
to effective project development and
site management.
References
Gaffney, V. and C. Gaffney, 2011.
Through an Imperfect Filter: geo-
physical techniques and the manage-
ment of archaeological heritage. AC
occasional paper No. S. 117-129.
Meg Watters is an Adjunct Post-Doctoral
Research Associate. Anthropology,
University of Massachusetts Amherst, and
specializes In 30 visualization of remotely
sensed and excavated data for a new
perspective on non-invasive modeling and
analysis of archaeological sites. www.pbs.
orgl oRb/tlm&teamlabOLIVwatters.Q.b.Q
Stephen Wilkes. Director of 30 Services
for Feldman land Surveyors. Inc .. has been
working In laser scanning and surveying for
the built environment for more than 10 years.
This has also included Integration and 3D
visuali zation of GPS, GIS, terrestrial laser
scanning. airborne LIDAR, and metrological
surface scanning datasets. ~
com/ feldman3Daboutus html
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 LicAR 19
Stanoards w1ll enable f l e ~ l l e and
wldPspleao lnteg1>1lton at pn nl clouo;.
Wllh ull er pont douds 611(1 wHit othe1
&palial data and spat al technologres
TheliDAR
Standards Opportunity
PAVING THE WAY FOR LIDAR CONVERGENCE
he LiDAR industry is benefitting
from many of the IT industry's
hardware advances- processing
speed, throughput, sensor resolution and
sensitivity, laser modulation, reductions
in size and energy demands of compo-
nents. Unfortunately, it can't take full
advantage of many software advances
such as Web services. apps, and the
cloud, because it lacks a framework of
open communication standards.
Information technologies thrive when
they can connect with other technologies
in useful ways, combine data from differ-
ent sources, and establish connections to
both established resources and innovative
new services. Thus the potential benefits
of LiDAR are not being fully realized.
BY BARTCE LATHOUWER
20 Li OAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
The Internet is the paradigmatic "open
connector" of digital resources. The Web
is descended from the Internet, and many
families of open standards are descended
from the Web's open standards: http,
xml, and WMS. Openness is the main
reason for the abundance delivered by
this technology family tree.
LiDAR L'i a 3D spatial technology. It
serves humans' needs to represent sur-
faces in built and natural envi1onments,
which are inherently geo-spatial. LiDAR
Stanoards w1ll enable f l e ~ l l e and
wldPspleao lnteg1>1lton at pn nl clouo;.
Wllh ull er pont douds 611(1 wHit othe1
&palial data and spat al technologres
TheliDAR
Standards Opportunity
PAVING THE WAY FOR LIDAR CONVERGENCE
he LiDAR industry is benefitting
from many of the IT industry's
hardware advances- processing
speed, throughput, sensor resolution and
sensitivity, laser modulation, reductions
in size and energy demands of compo-
nents. Unfortunately, it can't take full
advantage of many software advances
such as Web services. apps, and the
cloud, because it lacks a framework of
open communication standards.
Information technologies thrive when
they can connect with other technologies
in useful ways, combine data from differ-
ent sources, and establish connections to
both established resources and innovative
new services. Thus the potential benefits
of LiDAR are not being fully realized.
BY BARTCE LATHOUWER
20 Li OAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
The Internet is the paradigmatic "open
connector" of digital resources. The Web
is descended from the Internet, and many
families of open standards are descended
from the Web's open standards: http,
xml, and WMS. Openness is the main
reason for the abundance delivered by
this technology family tree.
LiDAR L'i a 3D spatial technology. It
serves humans' needs to represent sur-
faces in built and natural envi1onments,
which are inherently geo-spatial. LiDAR
Your flight track to success:
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point spacing simultaneously.
RIEGL LMS GmbH, Austria RIEGL USA Inc. R/EGL Japan Ltd
potentially provides a valuable comple-
ment to other spatial digital technologies,
but this happens only as LiDAR data
is fused with other representations of
spatial features and phenomena.
Almost 20 years have passed as players
in other spatial technology domains have
been working together to develop a plat-
form of open spatial standards. Much of
the platform is now in place. Fortunately,
because of lessons learned, standards
processes that have been established and
the "hooks" that are provided, it could
take the LiDAR industry much less time
to reach the same level of open standards
maturity as GIS, Earth Observation and
Sensor Webs.
Cu1Tent trends and events make the
present time a fortuitous one for this
collaboration to begin. The Internet
of Things is just beginning to take off
and drive new standards. The Open
Geospatial Consortium (OGC) has been
building a network Partner"
organizations, many of them standards
development organizations (SDOs) in
market domains th<tt are now served, or
v.rill be served by LiDAR providers. The
sooner the LiDAR industry provides
technical representation in appropriate
SDO Technkal Committees and
22 Ll DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Working Groups (not only in OGC!),
the more rapidly the industry will get
standards and standards-related best
practices that meet the LiDAR industry's
communication requirements.
The current stat@ of liDAR
standards; formats
A nwnber of LiDAR data formats/
specifications are currently in use:
The US National Geospatial
Program (NGP) worked with
federal and private sector partners
to develop a document that has
become the foundation of LiDAR
specifications worldwide and has
been adopted widely in U.S. Federal
agencies. This is the NGP LiDAR
Base Specification Version 1.0 or
"the v13 Spec:' (htq>;jjpubs.usgs.
gm>llm/ 11 h4).
The High Resolution Elevation
Format (HRE) is used by US
National System for Geospatial
Intelligence (NSG) partners.
The binary LAS file format. cur-
rently maintained by the ASPRS as
a standard file format for airborne
laser scanning, was developed to
store airborne LiDAR laser points
and its attributes. ASTM E57 is a
standard 30 data exchange format.
It has a XML component. The
XML foundation is important,
because it opens up the possibility
of open interfaces for software that
can recognize and parse LiDAR
data and communicate with other
software components with similar
read/write capabili ties. An XML
encoding, however, would need
to be designed for compatibility
with other widely used and open
XML-based spatial encoding
standards (particularly GML
theJX!_C Geogr.i!!2l.u'..MalliJ!Q..
to
provide maximum interoperability
in the world of spatial processi ng.
A fuJI review of the various LiDAR data
formats is beyond the scope of this article,
but the thing to remember is that even if
there were only one format, the industry
would still need a way for web services to
communicate the results of a scan.
Successful LIDAR integration
experiments in OGC's 2012
Testbed ctlvlty
Professionals that use point clouds
would save a lot of time if they didn't
need to copy, store and process these
huge files, but could simply get access
to them on the cloud, via the web. Tf
a point cloud were hosted on a high
performance cloud server, the server
could receive and respond to a variety of
requests for information that the server
could e>.:tract from specified regions in
the point cloud. The information prod-
uct might be a 30 surface represented as
polygons, for example, or a raster-based
digital terrain modeL With open service
interfaces, the information product
might be the resul t of a series of process-
ing steps-chained services-executed
by servers hosted in different parts of the
cloud. Some of these services would be
"fusing" LiDAR-extracted data products
with spatial data from other sources.
The OGC Wt'b !:)ervicc" .-\ctivilY-
included a number
of different One
topic area in the OWS Innovations d1read,
Coverage Access and Data Quality, looked
at the suitability of a number of different
dat;'l formats, including LiDAR HRE data,
for integration into an OGC w..,b Servic.:t!s
environment. The 1!.\ perirrumt-; incl uded
data encoded in the US NITF (National
Imagery Transmission Format) and the
OGC GML in JPEG 2000 for Geographic
Imagery Encoding Standard. These
experiments showed that LiDAR data
can indeed be brought into the OGC
standards framework for integration with
other kinds of spatial data. More standards
work remains, however.
I ooklng ahead
Looking at global growth of cities
and upward-trending mass markets
such as VLrtual Reality, smart glasses,
inexpensive UAVs, and indoor/outdoor
urban models in the cloud, it is apparent
that LiDAR wiU play an increasingly
important role. To be valuable, however,
UDAR data needs to be fused with
other kinds of data-Lat/Lon, CAD,
Civil Engineering, 30 models, Building
lnfonnation Models, 20 images, GIS,
Virtual Reality, navigation and more. TI1e
OGC experiments show that the Li OAR
industry can realize the service chai ning
and data fusion vision described above.
This is encouraging, but LiDAR and
other spatial technologies are complex,
and so more testing, demonstrating
and consensus-building must be
24 Ll DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
accomplished before LiDAR can become
an easily-integrated spatial resource.
LiDAR industry players need to
evaluate LiDAR standards requirements
and explore the larger standards world
to see where their efforts will do the
most good. New standards and new
best practices for t he use of existing
standards need to be developed. Some
of this standards work will necessarily
occur in the OGC, bul some of the work
will necessarily occur in other SDOs.
TI1e UGl. collaborates with
in domains such as CAD, Civil
Engi neering, 3D modeLing, and
Building Information Models because
many spatial information applications
require an integrated indoor/outdoor
information environment. The LiOAR
industry will surely benefit from this col-
laboration, but specific LiDAR industry
requirements will probably not be
addressed by accident. Without LiDAR
industry representation, standards for
Augmented Reality or indoor naviga-
ti on, for exampl e, could favor other ways
of capturing information about surfaces.
The OGC's memoranda of understand-
ing with other SOOs are a necessar1' but
not sufficient condition for standards
coordination. It is the members of these
organizations who do the actual work.
Sometimes it is not enough to participate
in one technical committee or working
group. To bridge technologies, technology
providers need to assign engineers who
participate in each oftwo SDOs' technical
committees or working groups. These are
the people who prevent standards silos
and discourage the parallel emergence of
competing standards that confuse and
inhibit markets.
Developing interfaces and encodings
in a consensus standards organization
ultimately saves money for technology
providers, because they can share the
costs of developing technoi Qb')' they
would otherwise develop alone, and
often repeatedly, for different technology
environments. Also, consensus standards
organizations typicaUy include technol-
ogy user organizations as well as technol-
ogy providers, and so membership
provides unmatched opportunities for
networking with potential customers and
staying abreast of market developments.
The OGC serves as a global forum
for the collaboration of developers and
users of all ki nds of spati al data products
and services. Effici ent integration of
LiOAR \vith other spatial technologies
would benefit providers of LiDAR
products and services and also a broad
range of other stakeholders.
Bart De Lathouwer Is Director of lnteroper-
ablllty Programs for OGC, and Is responsible
for planning and managing interoperabllity
initiatives such as testbeds, pilot projects
and lnteroperabllity experiments with an
emphasis on activities In Europe.
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Subject buildings.
INTENT DEFINES PROCESS
ou may have heard it said that,
"There is no trut h. There is
only perception;' It is certainly
silly to suggest that truth does not exist.
However, we should never lose sight of
the importance that perception plays in
our everyday lives. In fact, how people
view things is of the utmost importance
as we seek to capture and represent the
world in which we live.
I recall a project opportunity that
perfectly illustrates how important
perception is. The project was presented
to me by an architect who needed a series
ofbuiJdings on a coUege campus modeled
from Laser scan data. The project encom-
passed four buildings two muJti-story
towers and two single story buildings
connected by a covered walkway system.
The facades of aJ I four buildings, as well as
BY .JOHN M . RUSSO, AlA
26 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
the roof of the single story buildings, had
already been laser scanned.
The architect was looking for an
existing condi tions building shell model
to be developed from the laser scan data
using Autodesk's Revit platform. When
we looked more closely at the scan
data it became apparent that we were
not going to be able to create a model
with the specified level of development
(LOD). This was due primariJ y to the
coverage of the scans. There were
numerous shadows and areas with no
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of the Pointools POD file format across Bentley solutions and platforms.
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BRINGING ENRICHMENT AND MOBILITY TO POINT CLOUDS
7012 Biltlllay, Ult s'lkrlll;y logo, SQitl;y MltloSiiiiiDn are QllllQf rtg1s1ereo 01 lradGrnW 01 $Wta ,.liftS 01 Blllllll'f lnc0f11C)t11180 or one of
ns dHect 01100ore 1\heljl'! 0\\lll'CI klbSIIJ:IW1as Otnar 0111101 ana proruc1 rnn"' are 11110011a11lS Olllll raspt<tiYt - CS9421 Ol / 13
Scan imagery of subject buildings.
scan coverage, the point density was
insufficient to see the required detail
and we had some concerns about the
alignment of the scans. We informed
the architect of thi s and asked him
where he got the scnns. He said he
obtained them from the buildi ng owner
and that the building owner had the
building scanned.
Needless to say, the architect was
not happy to learn we were unable to
work with the data. We were also a bit
surprised as to who would provide data
that was clearly unsuitable for the task
at hand. We informed the architect
that additional scanning would need
to be petformed in order to capture
the necessary data. However, at this
poi nt, we were suspect of the original
scanning provider's quali fications and
thought it would be a good idea to fi nd
out who performed the scans and try
to determine what their original scope
28 Li OAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
of work (SOW) was. After all, maybe
the owner wouldn't have to pay to have
it rescanned if the scanning was done
improperly. With a little more research
we discovered that the scanning servi ce
provider was a very well quali fi ed and
highly experienced professional colleague
of ours, so I contacted him to see what I
could learn.
The Intent
When I told my colleague about the
situation and asked him about the data
he Let out a big sigh of frustration as r
envisioned his accompanying eye roll.
Turns out his firm was actually hired
by a contractor who was competing to
\vin the project. The contractor had hi m
"run out" and take a few quick scans
of the a ~ ; a d e No survey control or
targeting was used and the scans were
registered with a cloud-to-cloud process.
"Keeping the cost low was of the utmost
importance to the contractor: he said.
The level of accuracy and the level of
detail were of li ttle concern. The contrac-
tor's primar y intent was to use the scans
to illustratt: the contractor's capabilities
to the owner and to help differentiate
his company from his competitors in
an effort to win the job. Ln other words,
these were "marketing scans:
The Perception
Well, it worked. The contractor was
awarded the project (not necessaril y
because of the scans, but I assume
they may have influenced the owner's
perception of the contractor). In his
bid to win the work, the contractor
told the owner he had scanned the
facades and the owner could have the
scan data. The owner's perception at
this point was that the scans woul d be
suilable for design purposes. The truth
of the matter was, these scans were not
Required Level of Development (LOD.
suitablt! for dt!sign- atleast not for the
purpose the owner's architect had in
mind to use them for.
The Process
As soon as the contractor told the scan-
ning service provider what was needed,
the provider was able to determine
what process would be appropriate to
capture the data. The intent was clear.
The data's primary purpose was to
help the contractor win the job. The
accuracy and density of the scans were
indeed unimportant. The process the
service provider choose to capture the
data was perfect for the data's intended
purpose-marketing.
The problem arose when the data
was transferred to the owner and the
owner perceived that the data may be
suitable for other pur poses. Had the
st!rvict! providt!r been told the data
would net!d to be captured in a way
that was suitable for design purposes,
the service provider would have
30 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
taken another approach and used a
completely different to acquire
the data-at a higher cost, of course.
Had the owner been told that the data
was only really suitable fo1 visualization
purposes he never would have passed
the data on to his architect for his use
during design. It all boils down to the
fact that "lntent Defines Process:
The Importance of Defining Intent
The above story illustrates the
importa nce of ddining intent. In fact,
ddining the intent should be one of
the fi rst things done when identifyi ng a
SOW for any project. However, it also
illustrates the importance of ensuring
that the intent definition travels with
the acqui red data. It is very common
for data to be transferred from one
stakeholder to the next As the is
transferred from one part}' to another,
the receiver of the data is not always
made aware of the data's original
intended purpose.
Because the process of laser scan-
ning can utilize various techniques to
capture and represent the data, it is
even more important that people who
come into possession of the data be
aware of its origi nal intended purpose.
Having a data exchange or fi le for mat
Close-up Images offac;ade scan data reveals lack of detail needed to achieve required LOD model.
capable of storing this info as metadata
is key. The metadata can be checked to
identify the original intent of the data
capture which will give the user of the
data sufficient information to determine
whether or not the data will be sui table
fur their own intended use.
8-10 October 2013
The ES7 Standard
The ASTM E57 file format for 3D
imaging data exchange, more com-
monly known as the E57 format, has
been designed as a general-purpose,
open standard for exchanging 30
imaging data. It can store point cloud
Essen, Exhibi tion Grounds

IN TER G E 0 '
along wtlh
2nd National INSPIRE Conference 2013
Holl DVWoV.
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Tlllde lolr -rliMt IIIHTC Gmb>t
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-...
Oesri Douuchlnd
HEXAGON
Trimble.
data from laser scanners and other
devices that produce 3D measure-
ments. It can also store associated
20 imagery, such as that produced by
digital cameras, as well as core meta-
data associated with the 20 images
and 3D points. For this reason it is
important that our industry support
this standard. To learn more about the
ASTM E57 standard visit
and their related open source software
project Get involved, get behi nd it
and support the E57 standard.
Conclusion
We live in a complicated world where
we make observations that result in
perceptions. When the intent of the
observations is not clear, we must rely
on those percepti ons. Our perceptions
don't always provide us with the truth.
However, it is clear that the way we
perceive things influences how we make
decisions. 1his is why it is important for
us as professionals seeking to capture
and represent reality to take care to
define our intent, up front. In that way
those who obtain our data wi ll have
a clear understanding of the data's
intended purpose. Tools such as the E57
file format can help us docwnent our
intent as metadata so it lives with the
project data we capture and is always
available to its users. The importance of
intent cannot be understated, after all
lntent Defines Process.
John M. Russo, AlA Is an experienced
architect with more than 29 years experience.
He founded Irvine. California based.
Architectural Resource Consultants (ARC)
www.arc-corporate.com, a firm that specializes
in documenting existing building conditions.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 UDAR 31
AERIAL MAPPING
Low-Altitude Aerial Mapping Photography (LAMP) for
Goethals Bridge Replacement Project
he Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey (PANYNJ)
has embarked on a project to
provide the design, build, finance, and
maintenance for a replacement to the 80
plus year old Goethals Bridge. The new
bridge will be located directly south of
the existing bridge.
The Goethals Bridge connects
Elizabeth, New Jersey to Staten Island
M<'J:l' Ynrk..Q.!r), near the Howland _Hook
l'vfari ne Tetminal, S_raten lslnnc.l, New
.Yllil over the Arthur Kil l. Operated by
BYKURTLUTZ
32 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
the Pm:.t AuthQ[itw_f Nt!$ YQ!'i< and Nt1,w
k r ~ the span was one of the first struc-
tures built by the authority. On the New
Jersey side it is located 2 exits south of the
terminus for the New Jersey Turnpike-
Newark Bay Extension. It is essential
to moving cargo between airports and
seaports and regional markets in the New
York/New Jersey metropolitan area.
As part of a complex sutface trans-
portation, network, its strategic location
places it at the center of one of the largest
air cargo gateways in the nation and
provides truck and auto connections
between the New Jersey Turnpike, Routes
1 & 9 and other New Jersey highways, the
Staten Island Expressway (I-278), and the
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. More than
$33 billion of regional goods pass over the
bridge each year. Eastbound traffic totaled
over 14 million vehicles in 2009. Since
2001, the Bridge has provided corridor
redundancy for national security and
homeland preparedness. The Goethals
Bridge opened on June 29, 1928. the
same day as the Outerbridge Crossing.
This marked the successful completion
of the then-tledgUng Port Authority's
first bi-state development project. The
Figure 1. 30 Pnotootamt t::ltoc Got:othals Br
TECHNOLOGY
bridge was named in memory of Major
General George W. Goethals, builder of
the Panama Canal and the fir11t consulting
engineer of the Port Authority.
The process will also include the
demolition of the existing bridge upon
completion of a new bridge. The new
alignment will consist of t he construc-
tion of a cable-stayed bridge over the
Arthur Kill south of the existing bridge.
The new bridge will conlain:
Six 12-foot wide travel lanes, three
lanes in each direction
A 12-foot wide outer shoulder, and
a 5-foot wide inner shoulder on
each roadway;
A 10-foot wide sidewalk/bikeway
along the northern edge of the New
Jersey bound roadway;
A central area to be maintained
between the eastbound and west
bound roadway decks, sufficient
to accommodate the provision of
future transit service.
Robinson Aerial Surveys, Inc.
(Robinson) was commissioned
by PANYNJ to provide new color
digital Low-Altitude Aerial Mapping
Photography (LAMP), analytical triangu-
lation and topographic mapping services
at 1"=30' scale in AutoCAD format
adhering to Port Authority Mapping &
CADD Standards. The PANYNJ chose
LAMP because they realized that it is one
of the best ways to develop very accurate
three-dimensional models with only
limited, if any, disruption to the heavy
vehicular traffic on the bridge and its
approaches. Robinson was selected due
to its extensive experience in developing
LAMP DTMs.
LAMP, typically, is a helicopter based
camera system. Photogrammetric firms
that specialize in LAMP make the flight
arrangements necessary to carry it out.
Robinson, in partnership with our flight
sub-consultant, coordinated with the
air traffic controllers at Newark-Liberty
International airport to fly the LAMP
aerial imagery within days of Notice to
Proceed. The Team's high level of experi-
ence in dense air traffic conditions was a
key factor in smooth project scheduling.
It can utilize either LAMP cameras or
the latest in digital sensors with Forward
Motion Compensation (FMC), a device
that stabilizes the sensor in the three axes
using a gyroscopic mount.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 UDAR 33
Figure 2: ~ Scale PI ?IOQran rnt.!lrlc Mappng wrlh 0.2f1 Contou s
The combination of the slower
forward speed of the helicopter and
the use of FMC allows for unparalleled
clarity in the photographic image.
The latest in Digital Sensors provide
imagery clarity that is un-paralleled
even in low-light environments such
as during the winter months or in the
deep shadow of city streets. Since they
collect wavelengths of light across a
wide portion of the spectrum, Digital
sensors have the added ability to acquire
black & white, color and color infrared
imagery aU within the same photo
mission. The improved image clarity
allows for ground control points to be
observed much more closely than with
conventionally flown photography. This
a.llows the control network to be held to
a much greater accuracy.
Robinson encountered a challenge in
the midst of the project when several
large property owners that surround
the bridge refused access to Robinson's
survey crews for the purposes of
establishing the required ground
GOETHALS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ILLUSTRATIVE DESIGN
34 LicAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
control points. Robinson's staff quickly
overcame this by abandoning the
initial points and selecting additional
points as close to the original points
as possible, without encroaching
on private property. This was made
possible through Robinson's extensive
experience in aero-triangulation
utilizing Airborne GPS & IMU technol-
ogy and three-dimensional mapping
from LAMP imagery helped to insure
that timely and accurate topographic
mapping was delivered.
The use of LAMP technology allows
areas that are prone to dense traffic to
be accurately mapped with minimal
impact on traffic flow and more safely by
reducing field personnel's exposure to
hazardous situations.
Utilizing LAMP is the safest technical
approach to create a new Digital Terrain
Model of the hard paved surfaces
and the right of way corridor. It keeps
surveyors out of harm's way while
experienced stereo compilers collect
the required ground data for a compre-
hensive DTM. The use of LAMP allows
for highly accurate mapping to be done
by means of photogrammetry while
reducing the amount of field survey
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Figure 3: 0 25ft GSD Orthophr
requi red as well as protecting field
personnel by limiti ng their exposure to
potentially unsafe situations such as rail
and highway projects.
LAMP makes use of high resolution
cameras to create crisp final results
and it is highly useful in surveying
projects such as: roadway and railroad
master planning and design, power line
and pipeline right-of-way design and
landscape architecture to name only
a few of its appl ications. LAMP can
also be used as a monitoring tool with
Homeland Security applications.
For the Goethals Bridge scope of
work, some of the project deliverables
Robinson included were the following:
Contours at .2-foot intervals. The
topographic mapping covered the
bridge as well as any turn-around
areas and on/off ramps.
Mapping in DWG format,
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010
Overall DWG
lndexDWG
Individual Panel DWGs
Surface files to be either TIN or
Civil3D Surfaces.
Surface files containing sufficient
data to be used for a future
mapping update
36 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Full results of Aerial Triangulation
Signed and Sealed Control Report
also containing the Mapping
Cettification
Mapping & Surface files to be
provided in NYSPCS
Robinson had previously uti lized LAMP
technology for a variety of transportation
related projects such as:
Atlantic City Brigantine Connector
in Atlanti c City, New Jersey in
which The New Jersey Department of
Transportation (NJDOT) proposed to
replace the 187 Bridge over Absecon
Inlet between Atlantic City and
Brigantine, NJ. The proposed bridge
replacement project was Lmdertaken
in orde to improve the sole means of
access to the Brigantine community.
Bass River Bridge Replacement
in Burlington County, New Jersey
where U1e New Jersey Turnpike
Authority (NJTA) plans to replace the
Garden State Park\vay Bridge over
Bass River near New Gretna, NJ. The
proposed bridge replacement is in
conjunction with the overall Garden
State Parkv.ray Widening Program as
well as improving traffic safety.
1-78 Bridge Project between
Warren County, New Jersey &
Northampton County, Pennsylvania
suppmting traffic improvements.
Rt.23 Bridge over the Pequannock
River Kinnelon, New Je.rsey in
which the New Jersey Department
of Transportation was proposing
prelimi nary and final design phase
survey and mapping to support the
bridge replacement project.
East Side Access/LIRR Grand
Central Connection Project that
provides a vital link from Queens
to Manhattan the design of two
miles of tunnels, a new station and
a rail yard, ten new tracks, five new
platforms and the rehabilitation of
20 bridges.
Number 7 Subway Line
Extension, New York planning
to extend the No. 7 Line Subway
services to the area known as Far
West Midtown Manhattan which
will allow for the expansion of
the Midtown Manhattan Central
Business District. 0
Kurt Lutz, CP is the Director of Operations
with Robinson. He Is a Certified Photogram-
met rist with over twenty-five years of expe.ri-
ence ln the industry. He joined Robinson
in 1987 as an Aerial Mapping Pilot with
hundreds of hours of flight experience.
Your data needs to live
beyond the project.
Once you have collected lidar and imagery data for
a particular project, there's no reason to stop there.
Get more out of your investment using Esri ArcGIS
software. You can manage these massive volumes of
data for many other purposes. ArcGIS provides the
automation, on-the-fly processing, and visualization
that make accessing and analyzing remotely sensed
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accessible with ArcGIS.
Learn more at esri.com/lidarnews

e s r ~
Fi gure 1: Pickering Pedestnan Bridge-
Conceptual Rendering
SCAN TWICE-CUT ONCE
Accelerating Project Completion (Within Budget) Using LIDAR
N
o matter how carefully work
is planned, sometimes designs
don't easily translate into
reality. Often, the more sophisticated
the design, the more difficult it is to
render into actual form. ln the case of
one very modern, innovative design
for a pedestrian/cycle bridge, laser
scanning helped keep the project
on-time, on-budget and aided in turning
the design into reality. By employing
terrestrial LTDAR, material scrap rates
were significantly reduced and project
delays were kept to a minimum.
BY BILLGUTELIUS
38 Li CAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Implementing a Transportation
Solution
The City of Pickering is a rapidly
expanding suburban city of 90,000
people approximately 20 miles (32km)
east of downtown Toronto. Ontario.
Canada. Because the Toronto "region"
is a sprawling metropolis of about 5
million people, large highways and
mass transit are essential commutation
conduits to and from the downtown
core. Pickering sits just on the north
shore of Lake Ontario and is bisected
by Highway 4()1 (the busiest highway
in Canada and one of the busiest in all
of North America), as well as major
passenger and freight rail lines.
In 2011, with funding from multiple
levels of government and the provincial
rail agency, Metrolinx, a bridge project
was undertaken to provide pedestrians,
cyclists and commuters with the
ability to easily traverse these major
east-west transportation corridors in a
comfortable and, some might say, stylish
fashion. (See Figure 1 for an example of
the arti stic nature of the design.) At over
$20million (CDN) the span is intended
to help connect the City of Pickering
to the major transportation systems
in Southern Ontario, and is eyed as
an impetus to help transform the
downto\m area of the city by creating
pedestrian access across the transporta-
tion corridor. Additionally, the bridge
is designed to allow easy access to
the commuter rail station/platforms,
parking lots and shopping centers that
are adjoining the highway and rail lines.
Modern Design and
Construction Methods
AECOM Canada is responsible for
the overall design and construction
of the two-phase project, with Teeple
Architects providing the preliminary
design and APius General Contractor
acting as the lead construction
fum. AECOM used Revit Building
Information Modeling (BTM) software
to model the complex design and
employed Integrated Project Delivery
(lPD) techniques for construction.
BlM-dependent IPD aids in the
communication with the sub-contrac-
tors/sub-trades to estimate material
delivery quantiti es and to provide a
method for feedback on design. IPD
helps smooth the "hand-off" points
between the trades as well.
Generally, BlM's are leveraged
throughout the design-build aod even
extend into the full life-cycle of the
construction project continuing on as a
"facilities management tool" extending
into operations and maintenance
aspects of the facil ity after completion of
construction. The BIM can sometimes
be used as an accurate as-built
document, especially when scan data
is available to compare to design and
then used to update the model layers.
While using BlM-based IPD makes the
handoffbetween sub-trades much easier
and minimizes confusi on, sometimes
there are complexities in the design
where adjustment is required to meet
Figure 2: Pickering
Pedestrian Bridge-
Phase I Completed
the requirements during construction.
Using a LlDAR scanner can aid in
determining if there are slight discrep-
ancies bet\.veen the design model and
the actual as-built conditions. This is
especially helpful where tight tolerances
are concerned.
A Unique Design
1he fully accessible and completely
enclosed Pickering Bridge is the fust
of its kind in Canada. lt stretches over
800 feet (about 240meters). A standard
truss-based steel structure with concrete
flooring and membrane-on-steel-deck
roof, the bridge's interior has custom-
ized glazing that provides a comfmtable
interior envi ronment. It is also the
first pedestrian bridge to be covered in
highly specialized perforated aluminum
sheeting (claddi ng) called Kalzip.
Utilizing a passive ventilation
approach, the Kalzip material resists
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 IJDAR 39
Figure 3: Rrsr Sections of 'Kalztp Covenng tnstalfeo
sohu gain, easily sheds snow/ice (before
accumulating), reduces wind-loading,
and due to the perforations, serves as a
transmissive material for light and air. In
addressing the unique construction chal-
lenges of the glazing within the structure
and also the compound curves required
in the design of the Kalzip cladding, it fell
to the use of terrestrial LLDAR to assist in
providing project cost and time savings
by verifying the as-built situation for two
different aspects of the construction.
Verification Through
Measurement
Applied Precision Jncmporated (APl,
is a growing
multi-disciplinary 3D digitizing services
firm located in Mississauga, Ontario.
They specialize in all aspects of 3D
measurement science. Complicated
metrology projects across the globe
keep them very busy.
API was requested by the sub-
contractor (Flynn Canada) responsible for
40 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
the glazing enclosure system to provide
high-accwacy 3D data for the areas
where the glazing was to be installed.
1he glazing is custom manufactwed
and then del.ivered to the project site for
installation. Comprehensive and precise
measurement data was required to safely
and accurately install large glass panels for
the walk\vay. If a discrepancy in dimen-
sions between the BlM and the as-built
condition occurs then the glass cannot be
used and it has to be scrapped, thereby
increasing materials costs and potentially
causing delays while waiting for replace-
ment sections to be manufactured.
API are in the vanguard of an increas-
ing number of metrology and scanning
firms who are figuring out how to
navigate the messy world of extracting
models from point douds, and delivering
them in a useful format for architecture/
engineering/construction firms (A/ E/C).
'TI1ey are learning how to successfully
contend with delivering solutions to
companies in an environment where
there are a plethora of third-party
software packages, assorted plug-ins,
and many CAD platforms. The demand
for 3D information by contractors and
sub-contractors is increasing, especially
as more and more design-build
projects move to a RIM-based approach.
According to Sean Belshaw, Technical
Services Manager at API, they are seeing
a significant increase in requests from
the AlE/C community to play a role in
documenting as-built conditions to help
verify tolerances and ensure quality.
Measurement by LIDAR for
Phase I
According to Tarjit Bassi of Applied
Precision, Flynn Canada has a long-
established relationship with API
covering multiple projects where the
value of laser scanning for as-built
information was dearly proven. On that
basis, when presented with the chal-
lenges of installing specialized glazing in
the unique box structure of the bridge,
Flynn once again turned to API to solve
the problem of ascertaining precise
dimensions. Without the accurate
metrology data, scrap rate on glass
installation would have cost time and
significantly impacted the tight budget.
Originally, it was felt that perhaps
only a total station would be required to
perform the metrology. However, upon
reviewing the tight dimensional require-
ments, sophisticated design, and having
made reconnaissance visits to the site, the
API team realized that the best technol-
ogy for the job was terrestrial LIDAR.
Measurement by LIDAR for
Phase II
After being contracted to provide as-
built CAD models for the glazing instal-
lation in the first phase of construction,
GDI provides:
V Airborne/ Mobile UDAR dat a collect ion that
meets your schedule
V Hi ghly efficient data processing for a wide range
of engineering projects
V Act ionable information delivered to your desktop or
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Figure 4: Section 1 Scan-Broad Area
API was called back by the general
contractor, APi us General Contractor
lnc. APlus has extensive professional
experience working on complicated and
innovative construction projects across
Ontario. After seeing how the terrestrial
LlDAR information reduced the
uncertainty as to the exact dimensions
of the glazing openings, A Plus believed
Figure 5:
Section 1 Scan-
Tight Area
42 LicAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
that a similar approach could be taken
to reduce scrap rates in installing the
unique Kalzip claddi ng materials.
The Kalzip cladding is like a sheath
or "skin" over the "bones" (properly
known as pur/ins) that are the structwal
components according to APlus Project
Manager, Fiaz Kara. 1he Kalzip is cut
and form-rolled on-site into compound
curves, then installed. The individual
sheets are then literally "zipped" together
with a proprietary tool from the
manufacture1: With an intricate perfora-
tion pattern and a unique proprietary
connection, the individual sheets must
be cut extremely accurately to be made
to fit the mounts properly and mesh
together. Even the slightest difference
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Geosystems
F1gure 6: P1ckPrlng
Bndge-Estabhshlng
Alignment TargP.ts
Figure 7: Section 1 Scanni ng
44 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
with respect to the anchor point can lead
to an alignment problem and possibly
render the material as scrap.
Complex Site and Conditions
Everything from traversing 14lanes of
heavy vehicle traffic and 5 sets of rail
lines, avoiding commuters on foot,
commuter and freight train traffic,
to freeze-thaw weather to working
around other sub-contractors presented
significant challenges to the API crew.
Additionally, they needed to employ a
high-lift to reach certain areas to place
targets and conduct scanning operations
so the complete extent of the "ribbing"
(purlins) could be kept entirely within
the field-of-view (FOV) of the scanner.
Figure 8: Pickering Bridge-Laser Scanning Workflow
Sean Belshaw of Applied Precision
pointed out that the scanner allowed the
team to collect data safely from many
positions without interfering with traffic
or putting the team in harm's way with
minimal site visits.
Targeting Accuracy
API realized that in order to achieve
the tight measurement accuracies
required, they would need to instaU
targets throughout the areas to be
scanned. Using standalone scans would
achieve an approximate measurement
accuracy of20mm. By installing targets
throughout the scan scenes, accuracy
was increased to around 3-6mm. Once
the data is collected, APT post-processes
it and runs an auto-alignment software
tool to generate a uniform point cloud.
The point cloud is then run through
e}..'traction software where the objects
of interest (purlins) are output ln solid
model format for the contractor.
According to Fiaz Kara of APlus,
without laser scanning there would
be no other method to get the Kalzip
claddi ng material to accurately fit on the
first go. The alternative (to scanning the
purlins and generating accurate CAD
models from the point clouds) was to
iterate test fits through a sort of"trial
and error" approach. A Plus, who has a
great reputation for completing projects
on-time and on budget, were concerned
that test-fitting without CAD models
and purlin radii values of the as-built
conditions would lead to a high scrap
rate. While there is almost always scrap
in any construction process, A Plus
estimated they would realize a very
significant reduction in waste by having
a precise model of the pwlins to which
t he Kalzip sheeting would be anchored.
Contractors Benefiting From
Use of Ll DAR in Bl M Methods
To ensure construction projects are on
time and on budget, contractOJ'S are
opting to use relatively low cost scanning
to ensure that as-built conditions match
the BTM. If there are discrepancies,
then the contractor is able to make
adjustments, usually on-site, thereby
avoiding or at least minimizing wastage/
scrap. Scanning is cheaper than wasting
Figure 9: Section 1- Ell.1racted CAD Models of Pur !ins
materials at the job site and less costly
than delays incurred while performi ng
re-work of the construction. Contractors
and sub-contractors are slowly beginning
to trust the models (up to a point) and
will cut, form, weld and pour materials
according to the RIM provided. But for
now the construction firms and building
trades are taking a cautious approach. As
Ronald Reagan once saidJ the contractors
will; "Trust, but verify': Expect to see
more and more A/ E/C firms and sub-
contractors hiring scanning/metrology
fi rms li ke API t l) do just that.
Bill Gutellus Is the President and co-founder
of Active Imaging Systems (A IS). He consults
on LIDAR technologies and their applications
for commercial and government clients.
Contributors:
(From Applied Precision Incorporat ed)
Sean Belshaw, Manager. Ted1nical Services
Leo Perez, Application Speci alist
Monlka Sudol. Senior 3D Application
Specialist
Tarjlt Bassi, Technical Sales Specialist
Special thanks to:
Fiaz Kara. C.E.T., Project Manager. API us
General Contractor Inc.
Cuu1ftly of A/>pil<'(i l>rctJS!OO lilt:
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li DAR 45
Bridge clearance data utilized for design
Leveraging Mobile Laser
Scanning Services
his article will present a case
study on how learning can
allow companies to leverage
their technology investments to add
value to complex projects. In this case,
we wiJI examine the integration of
mobile laser scanni ng (MLS) with static
data collection methods into a large,
multi-platform survey project.
CHA is a 1,400 person multi-
discipline design firm with offices
worldwide. Our 50 plus person Survey
& Geomat ics group is equipped '>vith the
latest equipment and software including
fathometers, time of Aight and phase
based 3D laser scanners (3DLS) , GPS,
reflector-less and robotic total stations
(TPS), digital levels and deformation
modeling instruments.
As with any fum, we battle with the
cost of maintaining the correct location
on the technology curve. We are always
looking for ways to evaluate the latest
technology, and try to incorporate it
whenever an opportunity presents itself.
In the spring of 2010 we were presented
with an opportunity to incorporate
mobile mapping into a large rail corridor
project we had been awarded. The 34
mile project required the integration of
BY.JOOYLOUNSBURV
46 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
data from multi ple sensors incl uding
aerial mapping, static and mobile
scanning and conventional survey.
CHA and our survey sub-consultant
were responsible for establishing the
primary survey control pairs and per-
forming the photogrammetric control
survey, existing track survey, field edit
and supplemental survey for the entire
project. CHA established 13 azimuth
pairs along the corridor that would serve
as the basis for the project survey control
and the location of the 184 photogram-
metric control points. During the field
effort to establish the survey control it
Unleash the power of StreamPix 5
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Combine images, GPS geoconference information,
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Features:
6 or more cameras for 360 degree spherical capture.
HD resolution at 60 fps or higher.
Georeference images from NMEA compatible GPS.
Individual image time stamping according to
computer or GPS t i ming.
Sync image acquisition with DMI output rate: no
motion, no image. Image capture rate is synchronized
with vehicle speed.
Adjust capture rate as a sub multiple of the DMI
output rate.
Image number, DMI mile post, user comments and
GPS Lat. Long. archived to a .csv tile.
Mulitple cameras supported, raging in resolution
from VGA to 4k x 4k high resolution.
Uncompressed high quality video for post processing.
Jamar, Nitestar DMI devices supported.
Paved Surface Inspection
Roadside Feature Inventory
Roadway Asset Management
Power Transmission and Distribution
Pipelines inspection
Railways
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Survey shot Interval In Cyclone It Topo
became apparent that the lrnin and work
schedule would not allow us to perform
the conventional track survey within d1e
required time frame.
The design process required the top of
the rails to be surveyed for use as vertical
controL The design team requested shots
at 100' intervals on the tangent sections
and 50' through the curves. When we
were t:!Stimaling the time required to
complete this level of survey along an
active passenger rail corridor, we quickly
determined that conventional data
collection procedures were not going to
allow us to meet the project schedule.
At this point we started to look at
al ternative data collection options,
including MLS. Having a wide variety of
static 3DLS experience with transporta-
tion projects, we determined that mobile
laser scanning would be the optimal
solution. We also wanted to leverage
our static experience and capabilities
to allow us to use the MLS point cloud
throughout the entire design process.
48 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
Realizing MLS was in its
at that time, we began to search for
an e.\.-perienced service provider with
hardware that could meet the design
accuracies. \Y./e started discussing the
field procedures and control require-
ments for the MLS systems available at
the time to achieve the required accura-
cies. We knew fl"om our experien<.:t:! wilh
the advance control work that thert:! were
sections of the corridor where GPS lock
would be lost during the data collection.
We needed assurance that we would
meet all of the project requirements with
the MLS data collection option.
Another concern was the vehicle that
the MLS system wollld be mounted to,
since the railroad required a thorough
inspection of third party vehicles prior
to usc on their tracks. As we searched
for a service provider d1at could meet all
of the project requirements, we started
to see the variation in the systems that
were available. Not all of the firms
contacted offered design grade data.
Ultimately, we chose and
their Street Mapper MLS system for
our project. After selecting them, we
discussed all the potential areas of
concern with ow project including
schedule, track time, additional control,
targeting and GPS dead zones.
Our primary control work d1roughout
the site provided us with a very good
idea of when and where we would have
GPS lock issues throughout the 34
mile corridor. Having this knowledge
in advance was a big advantage when
we initially coordinated the effort
w'ith Mike Frecks, PLS . the President/
CEO ofTerrnmetrix. We were able
to lay out where and how dense the
additional control would have to be in
order to achieve the project's required
accuracy. We were also able to estimate
the amount of time we would need for
each M LS collection run through the
corridor. Once we had spoken with
the client to determine available time
slots for uninterrupted access, we could
Sample MLS data
then adjust our data collection speed to
ensure the proper data density.
The last and most time consuming
hurdle was the inspection of the Hi-Rail
rental vehicle. After many conversations,
it was decided that Terrametrix would
mount their MLS system on a vehi cle
owned by our client. This development
really made the enti re data collection
effort easy. I would say the biggest
disappointment with our MLS effort
was that due to the early morning and
late night track access windows, we were
unable to take advantage of the video/
photographic component of the Street
Mapper system.
Once the data collection day came,
the true advantage of MLS instantly
became apparent to this long time static
guy. Mike and his staff arrived in Albany,
New York and went to work removing
the Street Mapper system from their
vehicle and mounting it to the Hi-Rail
vehicle supplied by the client. I have
to say, the ease by which this modular
system of scanners, cameras, boxes,
computers and wires was transferred
was pretty amazing. The Terrametrix
crew had the system moved and were
beginning the calibration routine in
about an hour and a half.
MLS data collection vehicle
l was not able to ride along during
the data collection; I was in a support
vehicle that followed along the highways
that paralleled the route. Having been a
service provider in the terrestrial LiDAR
industry since 2003, I was really amazed
to see the MLS vehicle pass knowing it
was collecting data at 15 miles per hour.
Once the data collection was
completed, we provided Terrametrix
with our control and QA/QC shots that
we established along the project corridor.
About two weeks later the hard drive
filled with data arrived, and we began the
importation process. \Xfhen we began the
MLS search, one of our biggest require-
ments/concerns was that the registered
data had to be compatible with our
in-house 3DLS software, Cyclone.
Our goal was to utilize the MLS point
cloud in Cyclone and Cyclone II Topo
to extract the top of rail shots and any
other data required to support the design
process. The error report documented
that the registration to our control was
under the 0.05' tolerance required for the
project, and the reported RMS error for
the project was 0.03: After importing that
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li OAR 49
MLS data In Cyclone II topo for survey potnt extraction
point cloud data into Cyclone, we used
our random QA/QC shots throughout
the project to independently truth the
data. We found that over 95% of the shots
checked were within the 0.05' tolerance
requested, which also backed up the
findings in the registration report.
The interopl.!rability between the
Street Mapper and Cyclone was one of
the key dements that made this project
a success. Owning the LiDAR data on
a project of this size was invaluable.
This project started in 2010 and we
are still extracting additional informa-
tion from the point cloud weekly to
support design activities. The initial
LiD A R deliverable was the top of rail
elevations and alignment for design.
To date, we have harvested the point
cloud for multiple addit ional features
including bridge horizontal /vertical
clearance, retaining and crash wall
clearances, overhead sign/transmission
line locations and countless additional
information. 1l1e ability to answer
without having to re-visit the field is an
invaluable resource, saving time and
increasing turn around.
The collaboration between CHA and
Terrametrix on this project allowed
us to collect the data in a small access
window meeting the project schedule,
critical design questions on a rail project MLS data In Cyclone
so U DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
while keeping a large share of t he work
in-house. 1l1is arrangement allowed
CHA to leverage their in-house static
LiDAR capabilities on a large scale
mobile project. To stay competitive in
today's consultant environment, you
have to find ways to maximize your
current expertise while incorporating
new technologies. With the rapid
advancements in technology in the
market place, it is almost impossible to
keep current. It is my belief that teaming
arrangements such as this one allow
everyone to stay ahead of the curve.
Mr. lounsbury is the 3D Laser Scanning
Manager in CHA's Survey Services Group.
He has over 26 years of experience in all
types of survey applications. Including over
ten years of experience with a variety of
laser scanning applications.
VrOne
A powerful, fast photogrammctric
oollectlon package with DTM, raster
display, Interactive edit and batch
processing.
VrTWo
111e seamless combinatlol'l of interactive
graphics and stereo The
power cf VrOne highlights the VrTWo
softcopy software.
VrliDAR
The integli!tion of IJ)AR data and
applications into tfffVrOne and VrTWo
products, offenna1bur collection and
editing environn)llhts.
VrOrtho
Process sm<111 jobs interactively or
large jobs in bMi:hallle. This
stand-alone program ts e.j.tb lll8
with an intuitive work flow.
VrAirTrig
Easy to learn, easy to use and
affordable. An innovative and familiar
approach with the traditional table
layout going digital.
An on the fly seam line editor with
the ability to splice, combine and
balance images. More control of
the mosaic process with interactive
Image display.
the powertul VrOne and
products, this light version
the power of Vr Mapping in
more locations.

I
TheNEW standard
Mapping today requires professionals
to collect, process and deliver vector,
UDAR, image, DTM and GIS data, often
together. Vr Mapping SOftware
addresses these needs in an easy
at'd pragmatic way.
Having been continually developed
over a 25 year period, Vr Mapping
Software has evolved Into the
most practical tool available.
systems
www.cardinalsystems.net
Review of LIDAR Analyst 5.1
L .
!DAR Analyst has been aro. und
since 2005, when it was first
released as an extension to
ArcGIS". The initial release focused
primarily on DEM generation and select
automated feature extraction tasks.
A lot has changed since 2005: Visual
Learning Systems (VLS), the company
that makes LIDAR Analyst, was acquired
by Overwatch (part of Textron Systems)
and Esri has increasingly enhanced
LIDAR support with each release of
A reGIS. The former begs the question
as to whether or not the acquisition by
a large defense-oriented company has
stifled innovation, and the latter begs the
question whether or not one would even
need a LIDAR extension to ArcGIS given
the current capabilities?
The answers to those questions
are "no" and "yes" respectively. The
acquisition by Overwatch hasn't slowed
down the folks at VLS one bit and the
5. 1 release of LIDAR Analyst makes
complex LIDAR worktlows accessible to
the GIS community, going far beyond
the capabilities offered by ArcGIS.
Given that LIDAR Analyst is an
ArcGIS extension it should come as no
surprise that the software is designed
with the GIS user in mind. Rather than
a collection of tools, l.IDAR Analyst is
more of a collection of workflows that
enable the end user to explore, prep, and
extract information from LIDAR point
clouds. LlDAR Analyst is extremely easy
to use. An experienced GIS professional
52 LioAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
1 , -. 1 1
0 1 Point Cloud to Raster
lr-Pirt fite: I Q
11\tefpoletioo field! ,_lnl _en$11)' ---'=-------...JI 0 Fill holes 10
o Set output raster properties from rnput LAS file
Set output raster properties from template raster NLCD 2006
Manually specify cell
Cel Size
X:
owu Rastef Properties
3 IMP units No. of cclumr.s: I oj
:==:=::::;!
Y: 1 IMP units No. of raws: oj
Figure 1:
LIDAR Analyst
main toolbar and
GUt for rasterlzlng
point clouds .
OK ll Cancel
'' ... a robust, yet easy
to use solution that
opens up LiDAR
visualization and
exploitation to the
GIS community. ''
can be up and running with the software
within a few hours, performing fairly
complex tasks such as DEM generation
and automated building extraction.
One of the biggest aids to getting
started v.rith LIDAR Analyst is the
215-page tutorial guide and sample
projects that accompany the software.
The tutorials are presented as logical
work.flows, guiding the end user through
a complete set of tasks from start to fin-
ish. While there are deta.iled help files,
1 found the project-driven approach to
the tutorial guide to be a big aid when I
first started using the software.
The main interface for LIDAR Analyst
consists of a tool bar within Arc Map
(Figure 1). 1he tools are arranged in a
logical order and the interface is clean
and uncluttered. One of the strengths of
LIDAR Analyst is that is does not expose
endless parameters to the end user,
but rather has a li.mited number of key
parameters with default values that in
my extensive testing hardly ever needed
to be adjusted. As T menti oned earlier,
1: .. ____________________ the open source HTCondor high-
-
Figure 2: Feature modeler enables processes to be stitched togeU1er in an Intuitive interface.
LlDAR Analyst was chiefly designed
with step-wise workflows in mind (e.g.
derive a bare eartil surface model from
a point cloud, extract buildings, and
then manually correct errors). As such,
you will have tile greatest success if you
use LIDAR analyst for all of tile points
along a given workflow as one of the few
drawbacks ofLlDAR Analyst is that it
can be a bit particular with the inputs.
LIDAR Analyst has always offered a
robust set of tools that enable the end user
to carry out key tasks such as generating
bare earth terrain models or extracting
tree point locations. The interface makes
it easy to test workflows, but even better
is LTDAR Analyst's macro-esqe feature
of automatically saving any process that
is run to a .afe file. This .afe ti le contains
all the settings you need to run the
pwcess in batch.
For example, you can test out various
approaches to DEM generation and
building extraction on a few LAS files,
tilen after you have settled on a set of
parameters, use the .afe tile to batch
process all your LIDAR point cloud data
If you want even greater control
you can assemble processes using the
Feature (Figure 2). Given
that LIDAR Analyst is built on top of
ArcGIS it's not the fastest solution for
batch processing tasks, but 5.1 adds
the functionality to distribute batch
processing to multiple CPUs using
.. ..... -
.,.. "--ei-.. - '--' ...
.. f J u_. '\ , ... )( "'=' 1=;> f "-e. .. r::' - ...._ '- lit "'
." O GP.
throughput computing platform.
In the 5.1 release Feature Analyst
moves beyond being a tool one would
use solely for generating raster surfaces
m automatically extracting buildings
or trees. The major improvements
have come in the realm of point cloud
visualization and LIDAR pre-processing.
LIDAR Analyst now includes a stand-
alone point cloud viewer (Figure 3). It is
certainly not the best point cloud viewer
on the market, but it has numerous
features that put it head and shoulders
above the standard point cloud viewer
available in ArcGIS.
It has the added ability to sync with
the active data frame ArcMap, greatly
facilitati ng the simultaneous analysis
of multiple datasets. The point cloud
viewer includes all the tools tl1e GIS
end user will need; from profile views
(Figure 4) to TTN display (Figure 5).
TI1ere are also tools that will help GIS
users make better sense of LIDAR data
to get out DEMs and building polygons. Figure 3: The new stand-alone point cloud viewer Introduced in version 5.1.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 U DAR 53
a o ~
2. 10 :
1.00 :
1.00 - I ~ ~ I
Fi gure 4: Profile view created from within the point cloud viewer.
Figure 5: TI N generated from a point c.loud In new 3D vi ewer.
Figure 6: Building
polygons gener-
ated using LIDAR
Analyst prior to
manual c.orrec.tlons
overlaid on refer-
ence Imagery (left)
and the source
LIDAR data (right).
54 Ll CAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
and improve their worktlow such as
LAS header viewing and LAS coordi-
nate conversion.
LIDAR Analyst does not offer a
highly set of customizable feature
e>..'traction tools (although one can do
this by combirting it with Overwatch's
Feature Analyst product), rather it
focuses on the most common feature
e>..'traction tasks and offers highly
functional, tailored workflows that
make it easy to not only automatically
extract features, but to correct errors
and make improvements.
I tested LIDAR Analyst's building
extraction capabilities on the publkally
available Pennsylvania LIDAR data and
was pleased with the results, particularly
as the LIDAR point density was
relatively low. LIDAR Analyst produced
cartographically-pleasing, attribute-rich
output in a GIS-ready format (Figure 6).
Although there were some errors of
commission, J observed very few errors
of omission, even on smaiJ buildings
adjacent to tree canopy. These errors
are easy to correct using the built-in
building editing tools.
LIDAR Analyst is not a fully
functional LlDAR package, but it's not
intended to be. It is a robust, yet easy
to use solution that opens up LIDAR
visualization and exploitation to the
GIS community. The latest version is a
worthy upgrade and the package should
be on the short list of any GlS user who
works with LIDAR data. D
Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne Is on the faculty of the
University of Vermont where he also serves
as the director of the Spatial Analysis Labora-
tory. He and his team specialize In ex1racting
meaningful information from high-resolution
remotely sensed data.
Get NPS Nu mber
of Point!/Grids. and
Percentage of Grids
Ti le Grid, LAS Flies,
Create a Virtu a I Gnd of
...
'------
Covering t he Project

Area
c--
31. NPS Size and Calculate Report on Data Void an
I Percentage of Grids and Poi nt Density
Point Density
Calculate NPS Gri d for
t he LAS Exlent
Figure 1: Validation Data Void and Point Density
Validation of Data Density and
Data Void of Aerial LiDAR Data
A
irborne UDAR technology
has become an important tool
for generating topographic
products. The focus of this paper is on
two important parameters that will play
a significant role in any Li DAR mi ssion:
1.) Point density and 2.) Point spacing.
The desired data accuracy, data volume,
schedule, and budgetary constraints
are vital factors for deciding the point
density and point spacing of the
acquisition mission. 1l1ere are general
guidelines available for LiDAR data
density (point density) and allowable
data void for validation: but, they art:
more specific to a particular projecl.
1l1e validation of data density and data
void will enable the data to be coUected
and processed accurately, be usable, and
in conformance with the deliverables
specified in the project's scope of work.
DEFINITIONS
LiDAR missions are planned to meet
individual project specifications based
on intended data use. Among the
BY DR. SRINIDHARMAPURI
1
CP, PMP
coll ecti on parameters, point spacing and
point density plays an important role in
meeting the project specification.
Point Spacing
Point spacing refers to one dimensional
measurement or a point-to-point
distance. One must recognize that point
distributions are not regularly or evenly
spaced. As a rule of thumb, the more
points that hit the ground, the better
we define t he targets. The point spacing
varies depending on the application and
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 UDAR 55
leve-f of Flood Risk
High (Declles 1.2 .3)
High (Deciles 1.2.3)
' Typical Slopes
Flattest
Rol li ng or Hilly
Specification
level
HigheS1
High
Vertical Accuracy, 95%
Confidence level FVAICVA
24.5 cm/36.3 em
49.0 cmf72.6 em
liDAR Nominal
Pulse Spacing (NPS)
meter
meters
Tabl e 1: Guidelines for LIDAR nominal pulse spacing f01 declles level 1. 2. 3
type of deliverables that are produced.
The point spacing question may also be
important in determining the necessity for
the delineation of linear features, such as
breaklines, as a supplemental deliverable.
Point Density
Poi nt density is related to point spacing
and Logically the closer a group of points
are to one another, the higher the point
density and vice versa. The point density
is normally calculated from the actual
data using the "box counting" method.
ln "box counting" an area of a rectangle
is associated with the total number of
LiDAR poi nts inside the rectangle. Point
density is a functi on of fly! ng altitude.
pulse rate, scan rate. and scan angle.
With today's state-of-the-art systems, it
is possible to achieve densities of 10 - 20
points per square meter.
Data Void
A data void can occur in LiDAR data
collection due to various reasons
including water absorption. Data voids
may be natural (e.g .. water bodies or
fresh asphalt that absorbs the laser
energy}. unintentional (e.g., high winds
or navigation errors that cause gaps
between flight lines), or intentional (e.g .
from post-processing for deliberate
removal of manmade structures and/
or dense vegetation not penetrated by
the LIDAR). The spatial distribution of
geometrically usable poi nts is expected
to be uniform and free from clustering.
As stat ed earlier, LiDAR instruments do
56 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
not produce regularly gridded points,
the LiDAR collection should be close to
a regular lattice of points, rather than a
collection of widely spaced high-density
profiles of the t errain. The uniformity
of the point density through out the
dataset is important.
Based on FEi\ lA\
Jvlemorandum No 61, the guidel ines
for LiDAR nominal pulse spacing for
deciles Ievell. 2, 3 are given in Table l.
In a similar manner, USGS has specified
certain guidelines for validating the data
void in aerial LiDAR missions.
Realizing the importance of the data
density and data void, software has been
developed to validate both parameters.
APPROACH
Validation of Data Density
The program developed for calculating
the data density also validates the data
completeness, and conducts a check
of the tiles created after preprocessing.
This process involves geocoding and
geometric correction. This program
uses the project coverage information,
tile grid, and the .las files covering the
project area as inputs.
1he following entities will be validated
by the program:
Size of the files are the same across
all the .las files (xxxxm X xxxxm)
Validation of file format and
projection
LAS version (l.x)
Proper vertical and horizontal units
Check for bounds of each file
Class statistics including
overlap class
The program performs computation
of statistics over all the classes per fi le,
followed by an analysis of the results
to identify anomal ies, especially in the
elevation fields and LAS class fields. 1he
program oeates a shape tile which is the
same as the tile grid used origina.Uy in
the program and Excel report contai ning
information on the LiDAR point density.
Validation of Data Void
In general, in order to ensure uniform
densities throughout the data set, the
following steps will be performed:
I. A regular grid with cell size
equal to the K times design point
spacing will be laid over the data
where I< is a constant.
2. At least a certain percentage of
the cells in the grid shall contain
at least the specified number of
LiDAR points.
For example, if the LiDAR data is
co!Jected with lm NPS, a regular grid
2m X 2m wi!J be overlaid on the LiDAR
data and 90% of the grids should have at
least 1 LiD A R point.
The program developed for validating
the data void will create a virtual grid of
appropriate grid size and check for the
number of points (aU returns/first return)
Expected
Point Density/
Square Met er
Observed
Poi nt Density
Number of
Gri ds In the
.las File
Number of
Grids Meeting
the Specs

. --.
. . . .. -
Validat ion of
Data Void and
Data Density
Las0040 10 points 16.82761 582169 514477 75%
Las0041 10 points 21.13412 582169 580270 75%
Las0042 10 points 25.32909 582169 580145 75%
Las0043 10 points 22.2032 582169 580664 75%
Las0044 10 points 22.25405 582169 580559 75%
Las0045 10 points 21.7628 582169 580268 75%
Las0046 10 points 20.79796 582169 580653 75%
Las0047 10 points 29.88647 582169 578288 75%
Las0048 10 points 29.69578 582169 574860 75%
Las0051 10 points 21.05113 582169 577789 75%
Las0052 10 points 20.65534 582169 580461 75%
Las0053 10 points 20.7103 582169 578484 75%
Table 2: Data Density and Data Vold valldaUon results
in each grid. For example, if the require-
ments of the project are the following:
J. The point density should be more
than 10 points per square meter.
2. 75% of the lm X lm grid should
have more than 10 points.
In this case, a grid of 1m X 1m has been
created and it is expect<.'<! that each grid
should have a minimum of 10 point<; per
square meter. For a given .LAS file the total
num))(!r of 1m X lm grid is mmputed at
the beginning. During the program, each
grid will be tested for the number of points
meeting the specific criteria (namely 10
points). At the end, the program calculates
the following percentage:
Percentage of grids that meets the
spec = nurnber of grids meeting
the percentage criteria I total
number of grids in the LAS .files
If the percentage is above the
specified percentage, then the particular
LAS file has met the data void tcsl.
Otherwise, the particular LAS file has
failed the data void test.
The block diagram for validating the
data void and point density is shown in
Figure 1 and the sample of the valida-
tion of data densi ty and data void results
are shown in Table 2.
Dr. Srinivasan "Srini " Dharmapurl has
over 26 years of extensive, wide-ranging
experience within the Geospatiallndustry;
most notably with LiDAR, Photogrammetry,
and GIS. He has worked ln both the private
and public sectors. as well as Internationally.
Currently he ls working as a LiDAR Sclentlst
with Michael Baker Jr .. Inc.
88.37 Pass
99.67 Pass
99.65 Pass
99.74 Pass
99.72 Pass
99.67 Pass
99.74 Pass
99.33 Pass
98.74 Pass
99.25 Pass
99.71 Pass
99.37 Pass
REFERENCES
FEMA's Memorandum for Regional
Risk Analysis Branch Chiefs,
Procedure Memorandum No. 61:
Standards for LiDAR and Other High
Quality Digital Topography, Effective
Date September 27, 2010.
USGS-LiDAR Base Specifications
Version 1.0- Techniques and
Methods ll-B4.
American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
(ASPRS), ASPRS Guidelines, Vertical
Accuracy Reporting for LiDAR Data,
vers. 1.0, May 24, 2004.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li DAR 57
INDUSTRY PIONEERS
Doug Flint
Roots
uestion-when you were
growing up how often did
you take advice from your
big sister? Never, in my case, I didn't
have a big sister, but in Doug Flint's
case it started him on a LiDAR industry
pioneering journey and eventually
to his current position as the Vice
President-Business Development at the
Geospatial Solutions Division of Leica
Geosystems. Doug is based in Westford,
MAin the same facil ity that produced
the company's first high performance
airborne LiDAR 15 years ago. Let's see
how he got there.
Doug grew up in an engineering
environment; his father was an electri-
cal/ mechanical engineer. As a kid
Doug was always fixing stuff around
the house-from bicycles to washing
machines- and working hard at math
and science in school! Doug remembers,
"Somehow I was looking for something
beyond the boundaries of electrical and
mechanical engineering when my sister
happened to interview at the University
of
He conti nues, "TI1ey asked her if she
had any siblings considering colleges
and what their interests were. She told
them she had a brother interested in
engineering and was presented with
a course catalog that included their
unique Institute of Optics, Optics
Engineering degree program. I was
hooked, applied and was accepted "early
decision': I stayed on for an extra year
58 Li DAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
BYGENEROE
of graduate school after earning my
B.S. and picked up an M.S. in Optics
Engineering with a specialization in
optical thin-film coatings. "
Early Career
From there Doug headed for the high
tech capital of its time, Route 128 and his
first position as, you guessed it, an Optical
Coating Engineer at the ltek Corporation
in Lexington, Massachusetts. ftek special-
ized in large and/or complex optical
imaging systems such as reconnaissance
cameras, satellite payloads and even the
Mars Rover Imager. Doug recalls, "One
of my projects there was a 6-ft
protected aluminum reflective coating for
imaging down to the Lyman Alpha (121.6
nm) This was a proof-of-
concept coating for the now famous
Hubble Space Telescope.
After only a couple of years, Doug
was made manager of the group. He
notes, "1 had to go from designing and
fabricating the coati ngs to generating
proposals in response to RFP's, calculat-
ing costs and prices, and managing
our R&D projects:' Gradually Doug
found himself enjoying the challenges
of management, sales and marketing a
little more than engineering. In fact, he
earned an MBA part-time (nights) from
Bost on University as evidence of his
new interests.
ln 1979 Doug joined Honeywell in
their Electro-Optics Division where
he worked on business development
for NASA and DoD projects. This is
where he first met Ron Roth, a coUeague
that would eventually become quite
influential in Doug's career.
Entrepreneurial Period
In 1983, Doug began the entreprenewial
'start-up company' phase of his c:u'eer.
This is where he had to put all of his
past experience to work- engineering,
production, sales, support, people skills,
management and even accounting-in
"survival" rather than "paycheck" mode.
Doug recalls, "1 went from nmning the
U.S. sales and support operation of a suc-
cessful Israeli high-tech printed circuit
board inspection equipment start-up, to
a thermal properties analytical instru-
mentation venture, to buying out a small
group (2 engineers) specializing in long
distance laser range finders that could
measure distances out to 18 tniles."
This became Azimuth Corporation,
founded in l991 and soon included
co-pioneers Bob Eaton (electronic), Ron
Roth (systems I business), Scott Bender
(mechanical) and Paul Galla (software
<tnd eventual creator of the LAS format)
who are all still his colleagues today.
They are the technology heroes of this
story. Doug commented, "1l1e best
compliment that Azimuth routinely
received from various organizations was
that they were shocked to find out how
smalJ we were. Our business practi ces
system didn't work Azimuth would
blame their workflow and they would
blame Azimuth's sensor! Ron Roth hit
the textbooks to brush up on WGS84
geoids, atmospheric corrections and
other trajectory and system factors to
figure out where a scanned laser pulse
from a moving aircraft is hitting the
swface (not an easy feat). ''Eight mouths
later, we had the first test flight-anc:l
the first successful data collection from
the original AeroScan airborne LiDAR
system;' Doug proudly recalls. What was
What we are seeing now in 'napping, topo.
constructlon, Infrastructure, plant and mobile
scanning advances is the tip of the Iceberg. '
and products reflected those of much
larger companies:
Without any external funding,
Azimuth developed laser rangers and
profilers that measured ice deformations
on the order of 2-in. caused by volcanoes
4,000 feel under Antarctic ice, fired
braking rockets on parachute-dropped
military cargo pallets and have helped
track countless airborne and ground-
based vehicles on military test ranges. ln
1997, Earth Data (now a part of Fugro)
asked A:z.imuth to develop a high-altitude
LiDAR system to fly with imaging
systems taking USGS DOQQ images at
a 6000m flying height and 75 deg FOV.
Doug n(ltes, "No other vendor had that
capability, so we won the contract:'
Doug's team assumed that they
would do the sensor and Earth Data
would do the software. 1l1ey assumed
\Vrong; EarthData feared that if the
then a 15 kilopulse-per-second system
has developed into the 500 kiJopulse-per-
second ALS70 LiDAR product family
some 15 years later.
By the year 2000, Azimuth was
manufacturing four systems per year
and selli ng them worldwide. They began
to get visits from companies interested
in a "partne1ship" and they selected LH
Systems (nowLeica Geosysterns) as
t heir new owner in 2001. "We even had
a brush with terrestrial laser scanner
development via a visit from Ben Kacyra
(Cyra Technology) looking to select a
laser ranging technology; recalls Doug.
Cyra and ERDAS were also acquired by
Leica Geosystems all within a three-
month period. Doug notes, "Now after
U years with Leica Geosyslems, the
original, small core team is still together
in Westford, MA-still setting the pace
in airborne LiDAR technology:'
Ret rospective
Doug o t s ~ T have had the great
fortune of having many bosses that were
unrelentingly driven to achieve, succeed
and generally not let failure get in the
way of their goals. From them l have
learned good marketing skills in high-
tech, high-dollar optical t:apital equip-
ment markets-both commercial and
aerospace. Most impor.tantly, I learned
from each of these mentors how to think
strategically and tactically for product
development and market exploitation.
1l1ere are sti ll not many organizations
that consistently define their corporate
vision and then devise the strategy,
roadmaps, goals & objectives, tactics
and operations to successfully pursue
that vision:'
Concerning the current state of the
industry Doug bel ieves that airborne
and terrestrial laser scanning technology
doubles its hardware performance
approximately every two years. That
now the real race is in integrated work-
flows, fused sensor data and information
management and distribution. It's all
about end-to-end 3D-reality capture,
reality modeling and visualization.
BIM, indoor and mobile mapping, and
photogrammetry I machine vision join
LiDAR as the hot technologies and
markets chased by the industry today.
"The problem with cutting-edge,
high-tech systems is they create a
constant stream of development
challenges. Anyone in this industry
occasionally longs to be a bartender,
or some less stressful profession. I love
laser scanning, but competing in lower
complexity product markets could add
years to my life;' comments Doug.
Doug notes that Google Earth and Bing
have brought 3D and maps to everyone.
This has greatly accelerated the demand
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 LADAR 59
for indoor and outdoor 3D solutions and
content. Cheap memory and servers I
distributed processing I cloud computing
I and internet distribution are just some
of the computing capability advances that
have led to the industry's integrated work-
flows and supercomputer-like perfor-
mance on yom laptop. They have brought
incredible data acquisition and processing
capabilities that work for and with LiDAR
technologies- think wavetorm digitiza-
tion and photogrammetrically-derived
info douds, for example.
Doug reminds us, "One of the
original drivers of the ai.Jborne UDAR
market was the fact that elevation model
production from photogrammetrlc
point measurements was too slow and
costly with the computer and software
BENTLEY SYSTEMS 27
wwvt.bentley comllldornews
CARDINAL SYSTEMS 51
www.cmdtnj!Jsystems netl
CERTAINTY 3D 35
www.rerlaln1y3d.f!)fl1
ESRI 37
www.esr <omlllrtarn;ws
EN VI 29
www.exeltsvts.comlflsrt-UC
GEOCUE 3
www.geocue.lom
GEODIGITAL 41
'Om
60 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
technologies available a decade ago.
1he cost of IT capability has dropped so
radically that so-called dense matching
has made real inroads:
On the issue of pressing needs Doug
comments, "'When younger generations,
who are brought up on 30 visualization,
begin to take charge, this will spur
acceptance of the innovations that are
occurring now and in the future. The
major barrier to our industry is 'resistance
to change' and a slow process to adopt the
new capabitities coming on line:'
Looking to the future, Doug notes,
"Depending how you count, we are
about 17 years into commercial airborne
LiDAR and 13 years into HDS scanning.
What we are seeing now in mapping,
topo, construction, infrastructme, plant
GEOINT2013 17
www.geolnl 2013.com
!CUBED 13
www .. J.com/litlm
INTERGEO 2013 31
www.lntergeo de
INTERGRAPH 23
geospa!ial rntergraph.com/20 13
LEICA GEOSYSTEMS 43
hds.Jerca-geostslems.corn/p20
MAPTEK 7
www.maptek.com
MICROSOFT 25
www !JIItaCamEagJe com
and mobile sc:anning advances is the
lip of the i<.:eberg. We havt.' sensors,
workflow, visualization and distribution
to work on, to name just a few challenges.
We will be amazed by what we will see
and do on/with our screens, laptops,
tablets. wrist tops and Gough:! Glass
by 2020. And that is just regaJding the
applications we have thought of aheady!"
As you can imagine Doug does not
have a lot of free time, but when he does
he loves to ski-both snow and water.
He dreams of what it might be Like to
be an artist or a musician. Imagine if his
sister had tried to steer him in one of
those directions ...
Gene Roe is the Managing Editor and
Co-Founder of UDAR Magazine.
NEPTEC
www neptec.com
NOR PIX
ww.,, norptx.com
OPTECH
www opterh.<om
RIEGL USA
WWW rieQillSil COfll
TEXTRON SYSTEMS

TOPCON
www UlpconooSitlonlng.comlmapplng
TRIMBLE
wvM rlmCIIP.tom/3D :cilnnlng
IBC
47
9
21
5
IFC
BC
Generalized Data
I
n the last Random Points arlkk, I
discussed the overview concepts of
data and sensor fusion. I promised
at the conclusion to continue with a
fusion technique I call "Just in Time"
(JIT) product generation. However, I
thought it would a useful exercise to first
discuss data generalization.
In the mid-1980's 1 had the privilege
of participating in a massive Defense
Mapping Agency (DMA) development
called the Mark 90 program. TI1e DMA
was producing a wide range of mapping
products (e.g. Nautical Charts, Harbor
and Approach Charts, Topographic
Line Maps and more) essentially as
one-off products. Data were collected
from a wide variety of sources to
create thematic map separates. These
separates were transferred to film at a
one-to-one {relative to the printed map
size) scale and used in printing physical
maps; there were virtually no digital
maps at this time. You can imagine
how difficult and time consumi ng this
process could be. Additional ly, the
DMA had to stockpile literally pallets of
maps in warehouses for dissemination
to the user communi ty. If a change was
deemed necessary, the map had to either
be reprinted or a "red-line" separate
produced for overprinting of the map.
The DMA embarked on a huge series
of modernization programs aimed at
creati ng a "map factory'' that could
produce maps in a fiT fashion. The idea
was to build a world-wide database of
base information and use this database
Product
Request
1! 11 Mop P100Ud GeoeaUOil
in a series of software processes to
create map products. The database
was called the Mapping, Charting and
Geodesy (MC&G) database, reflecting
its wide purpose.
Imagine the machinery of such a
system. Given a multitude of data
sources, the mapping algorithms must
pull together those sources needed to
create a specific product, accurately
combine them, create labels, render
color schemes, and so forth. Just a few
of the technologies involved include
conflation, conflict detection and resolu-
tion, label placements, names resolution
and generalization. The general idea is
depicted in Figure 1.
1his is an immensely complex task that
even w this day (nearly 30 years later) has
Products
not been fully accomplished. However,
the various attempts (beginning with the
DMA programs) have created thousands
of algorithms that take us ever closer to
the generalized solution.
All of this is directly related to some
difficult problems in representing
the real world in point clouds. \Y/e
are patticularly interested in the
"generalization" problem-that is, how
do we accurately represent data as we
"zoom out" on that data? Consider a
Large scale map where a highway runs
very close to a parallel railroad. As we
zoom out on the map, the road and
railroad would normally merge into a
single line. However, if the desired map
product specified that these two featwes
must remain distinct, a cartographic
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 UcAR 61
displacement must occur as smaller
scale products are produced- this is the
process of generalization.
Consider the point doud "zoom out"
problem. To represent features in a point
cloud, the data must be at least twice
as dense as tht! smaUt!St dt!sired feature
(this is the Nyquist criteria to which
T have referred in p1'evious articles).
Fot example, if you want to be able to
measure a 4 em diameter walk button
at a crosswalk, the LIDAR data point
spacing must be 2 em o1closer. As one
zooms out on a view, more and more
data must be accessed to render the view.
For example, if the view volume contains
an area 5 meters high, 20 meters wide
and 10 meters deep, the view volume
encompassed is 1,000 m
3
! At a point den-
sity of 1 point per 8 cm
1
(one poi nt per
cube measuring 2 em on a side), we have
125.000 points per cubic meter. Thus we
would need to access 125 million points
to render the scene of our view volume.
For t his viewing to scale, the data must
be decimated. We routinely do this in
image processing by low pass filtering
the dat a and then decimating. This is a
natural way of decimating images since
this is what happenS in an optical system
such as o ur eyes.
However, we have adopted a system
of tagging points within a point cloud,
anointing each point with "i ntelligent"
content. For exampl e, a single point may
be tagged as a "Vertical Obstruction"
such as the top of a radio tower. lf we
were to simply treat the point data as we
do an image. low pass filtering and deci
mating, we most li kely would lose this
vert ical obstruction point. Tn most uses
of the data, this would be completely
unacceptable. Enter Cartographic
Generalization (or a similar technique
that we apply to point clouds).
62 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
FiSh- 2: Tw n ultl \J I ur 1 rr
A search of the literatwe will reveal
very tittle on the topic of point cloud
generalization. 11ms we seem to be at
the forefront of this technology that
will prove critical as point douds begin
t o replace other data sources for base
intelligence sources.
There has been some initial work on
a very specific case of generalization-
t errain thinning. Consider a ground
model comprising point cloud data
with a nominal point spacing (NPS) of
50 em. This would yield an average of 8
triangles per ~ when the point cloud
of the ground surface were rendered
as a triangulated irregular network
(TIN)- see Figure2.
Most CAD software would be
overwhel med ifit were faced with load-
ing a TIN of such high density. For this
reason, thinning algorithms are included
with most LIDAR processing software.
'Ibis thinning operation for ground data
is typically called a "Model Key Point"
algorithm. Ln fact. the LAS point doud
specification includes a special bit flag to
mark points as "MKP" points.
This thinning method functions as a
simple error bracketing algorithm. 1l1e
user specifies the maximum vertical
error that is permissible for the model
(treating the original data as "truth").
The o riginal data are modeled as a TIN
and points are iteratively removed. As
each poi nt is removed, the modified
TIN is generated and compared (vert i-
cally) to the original TfN. lf the error
i.s below the user specified threshold,
the point i s left out of the model and
the next point ls removed. If, on the
other hand, the model deviates from
"truth" by more than the user specified
vertical limit, the test point is restored
to Lhe model.
This process repeats until no further
points can be removed from the model
without violating the accuracy criteria.
The remaining points are fl agged
as Model Key Points. It should be
intuitively obvious that very few MKPs
will be requi red in flat terrain whereas
a fairly dense coUection of MKPs
will be required where the terrain
sharply changes. This is illustrated in
figure 3 where the nodes of the TIN
represent the model key points and all
points (orange points and TIN nodes)
represent the ground.
So now the question is "how do
we extend this MKP idea to other
features?" Can we flag important points
(li terall y) in the data set and preserve
these poi nt features as we generali ze
the data? Obviously this requires
a new class of algorithm. Much
can be learned from the old DMA
generalization efforts as well as other
developments in these areas.
This is a very important preamble
to the idea of JIT product generation
from LIDAR data. Lfwe are to store
LIDAR data at full resolution and
then generate ad hoc products (using
server-side processing, for example),
we will have to develop intelligent (and
fast!) algorithms that can perform the
requisite processing. We will pick up
on this theme in the next edition of
Random D
Lewis Graham Is the President and CTO
of GeoCue Corporation. GeoCue is North
America's largest supplier of LIDAR production
and workflow tools and consulting services for
airborne and mobile laser scanning.
Figure 3: MCJdel Key Poln :; (nodes of TI N) Ground Points (noces of Tl"' ana all other points)
SmerzJ continued from page 64
TED Talks
tfyou're not familiar with Ted Talks
let me introduce you to one of the
best video platforms on the planet for
inspiring thought and action. lt's a col-
lection of mostly common individuals
havi ng completely uncommon lectures
on an incredibly wide variety of topics,
including our 30 technology. One of
the most basic reasons this site is so
immensely popular and videos are so
often viewed is because all talk
about \XTHY. Each video has a message
that is designed to somehow enrich the
viewer and provide you with a message
about WHY. And as such, their videos
are viewed worldwide. [Check out
Simon Sinek's
WHY should you care?
So how does this translate into yow-
business? lt is going to be easier for you
to recruit and retain the best employees
if they understand your company's
WHY. There will be a much larger
blue ocean of market opportuni ty in
different market segments if you can
explain your WHY. It will be far
to set goals, strategies, and tactical
plans in place if you know your WHY.
Simply put, it is going to be much easier
for you to enj oy a bottom line profit if
you are starting with WHY. Offer your
clients this clear understanding. An
inspired client is far less price sensitive
and much more loyal over time.
So, what's your WHY?
Ken Smerz Is the President of Precision 3D
('Afl{ol't!' a service provider
that travels throughout the nation working
with AIE/C and forensic clients. He can be
reached at kennpreclslon3d.com with any
questions or comments you might have.
2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4 Li DAR 63
Something is Missing
Talking Heads
I
've been to a variety of conferences
lately, both within the 30 imaging
industry as well as other business
evt:nts. I've had the privilege of listening
to some very bright minds and overaJI
successful people share their vision
and opinions on a variety of subjects.
And aside from the predictable self-
aggrandizing that commonly occurs,
especially in the world of 3d, there have
been some valuable messages. But I find
too often there is something missing.
ln conunon with the majority of these
presentations is the lack of WHY in the
message. \.Vhy were they successful and
more importantly WHY should I care? So
let me introduct: you to Simon Sinek who's
hook (Start With Why: How Great Leaders
Inspire Everyone to Take Action {2000))
delves into what he says is a naturaJly
occurring pattern that explains why we
are inspired by some people, leaders,
messages and organizations versus others.
And why some simply fail even though
they have a good plan -a benevolent
objective. To quote Sinek, " ... people don't
buy what you do, they buy why you do it:'
I strongly recommend his book
for a variety of reasons for anyone in
business. One of the examples he uses
to illustrate how important the \VHY
is comes from the story of the fa mous
explorer Edmund Shackleton who in
1914led an expedition to Antarctica
against truly death defying odds in a
64 UDAR 2013 VOL. 3 NO. 4
wooden sailing ship. The story tells of
the shipwrecked crew who together
survived months floating on ice caps.
They were successful and nobody died
because of the composition of the crew
and their personalities. Shackleton ran
an ad in the paper before the mission to
recruit the crew with the proper mind-
set. The ad specifically didn't say what
the mission was, but stressed WHY they
wert: doing it. Tt read in part, " ... honour
and recognition in case of succes..,:'
3D imaging world? J.n that last sentence
substitute the word "measurement" in
place of 'cancer treatment' and it's the
common speech you've heard.]
The doctor continues about how
frustrated he is because while they're one
of the leading organizations in the world,
they fight desperately to compete for
medical research dollars and recognition
with the highly promoted Banner MD
Anderson Cancer Center. Immediately
in my head l envision the signage
'' ... people don't buy what you do,
they buy why you do it.''
Lost Doctor
As an example, I'm sitting in a presenta-
tion by a research scientLo;t from the
University of Arizona who spends
the next 37 minutes explaining to the
audience what they are doing to find a
cure for cancer. Incredibly knowledge-
able, the doctor cites statistics and
shows case study data on their success
rate; discusses cutting edge technology;
and paints a great vision for the future
with his methods that will revolutionize
cancer treatment. [Sound a little like the
that Ba1mer has posted on bill boatds
throughout Arizona that shows their
logo, that has a giant red stripe through
the word c a n c e r ~ Banner is effectively
telling me WHY I should care and
support them even in their logo, while
this doctor is telling me how great he is at
1esearch. At no time during the pre-
sentation I sat through did the scientist
indicate WHY 1 should care about his
cause. Think how much better it COltld
have been if he'd told me WHY I should
support him over Banner Medical.
continued on page 63
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