3D Innovation for the Sustainability and Reliability of Infrastructure
This interview provides an inside perspective from one of the largest geospatial and inspection firms in the U.S. It is being reported as told by the persons being interviewed.
Introduction
Surveying And Mapping, LLC (SAM) provides Geospatial and Inspection services for the nation’s infrastructure, including the surrounding natural environments. SAM employs over 1,500 people and operates 47 offices nationwide. SAM is the most technically advanced, largest, pure-play professional Geospatial and Inspection firm in North America. SAM will celebrate our 30th anniversary next year.
Since our founding, SAM has been offering advanced Geomatic solutions. By partnering with RIEGL, a renowned instrument and software provider, we have harnessed their advanced tools to fuel innovations in applying 3D scanning and LiDAR solutions for our clients.
Matthew Thomas, our Technology Manager for aerial and mobile systems, has played a pivotal role in developing innovative sensor integrations, further enhancing our progress. Matt is a licensed surveyor and a graduate of Purdue University. His expertise is a valuable addition to our team’s commitment to utilizing advanced technology and delivering cost-effective solutions within project timelines.
Technology Inventory
Our commitment to leveraging leading-edge technology drives us to continually explore and adopt the most advanced survey instruments. Among the top commercially available systems, we have found RIEGL’s sensors to be most aligned with our requirements. Since our initial purchase of a RIEGL airborne sensor in 2016, we have invested in a total of 12 RIEGL sensors:5 – 1560 ii dual scanner series, one 780i, 2 – 480i, 3 – VUX series, and 1 – VMX-2HA Mobile Mapping system. SAM operates the complete suite of Ri-Process software, plus TerraScan, TerraModel, TopoDOT, ArcGIS, PLS-CADD, MicroStation, and AutoCAD.
SAM is a trusted, knowledgeable, and innovative RIEGL partner. However, SAM owns and operates other geomatic instruments, including 468 GPS units, 174 robotic total stations, 42 terrestrial scanners, and 508 subsurface detection instruments, including a few handheld walk-about and backpack scanners for collecting 3D geospatial datasets.
Technology Selection Process
SAM identified the ideal solution for overhead electric engineering surveys, requiring a minimum 30 ppsm density, including tightly coupled LiDAR and versatile camera configurations.
We needed to maintain uniform and consistent processing, workflows, and QA/QC, aligning with our various acquisition methods, including mobile, crewed (rotary & fixed wing), and uncrewed aerial systems. During the research, RIEGL stood out as the sole manufacturer offering sensor solutions for all acquisition methods, and their upgrade path ensured state-of-the-art solutions as technology evolved.
The 1560ii scan density and pattern proved pivotal, enabling our primary business for electric T&D to transition to a fixed-wing platform. This strategic move provided a remarkable competitive and operational advantage over traditional helicopter acquisition methods. With the dual scanning system, SAM could double the aircraft speed and altitude, and stay aloft 2.5x the endurance vs. helicopter platforms, resulting in heightened efficiency, cost reduction, and superior geospatial datasets for our clients.
Workflow Integration and Lessons Learned
In 2022, SAM acquired aerial, mobile, or terrestrial LiDAR for over 2,000 programs. For design grade mapping at this volume of work, choosing the best sensors and platforms is the most critical element for repeatable success. Geomatic professionals embrace, and clients value, predictable and consistent spatial data. Over 60% of the LiDAR requires a minimum of 30 ppsm density to properly model above ground infrastructure. Storage of active work-in-progress, multiple file iterations, calibration, classification, filtering, and archive management present a daunting challenge.
The IT operating environment that supports the workload consists of 50 physical hosts and over 580 virtual servers, as well as over 800 high-performance workstations and laptops, and more than 350 “ruggedized” field tablets. The dedicated data processing nodes include over 650 cores in the primary data center. The network handles over 1.5 Petabytes of data flow every day.
Project Overview
Project 1:
Mobile and Airborne Mapping for Large Municipality:
Deliverables:
• Colorized airborne LiDAR & imagery; 100 ppsm at +/- 0.5’ absolute accuracy
• 3” orthomosaic
• Colorized mobile LiDAR, 250 centerline miles
• Geodatabase of water valves and hydrants +/- 0.5’ absolute accuracy
Systems used:
• RIEGL VMX-2HA
• RIEGL 1560II
Results:
• Airborne dataset absolute accuracy at control: +/- 0.1’
• Reported average deviation between SAM airborne LiDAR and 2016
independent airborne LiDAR dataset 0.1-0.15’
• Reported average deviation between airborne LiDAR and
mobile LiDAR 0.1’
• 7000 water system features delivered
Project 2:
Airborne Mapping for 2,000’, 550-mile Electric Transmission Corridor
Deliverables:
• Colorized airborne LiDAR & imagery; 60 ppsm at +/- 0.5’ absolute accuracy
• 3” digital orthomosaic
• Oblique photography
• PLS CADD model w/planimetric and classified point cloud
Systems used:
• RIEGL 1560ii
• 4-way oblique camera system
Results:
• Airborne dataset absolute accuracy at control: +/- 0.1’ across 4 state plane zones
• Simultaneous acquisition of LiDAR, nadir imagery, oblique photography
The Future
The incremental advancement of digital twins is how SAM envisions the future. It doesn’t happen all at once on large facilities or massive infrastructure. Expansion in the use of spatial data and 3D models, applying augmented reality for inspectors to compare digital design models to actual conditions – not as-built, but as-building. We envision indoor, outdoor, and underground utilities merged with large-scale 3D urban models to create a common operating picture. We see the maturation of intelligent spatial data for decision support serving utilities, transportation, and infrastructure-focused programs. High-fidelity spatial data using cloud architecture and hosted online solutions will become commonplace.
SAM’s vision is to advance spatial data acquisition, improve analysis capabilities, and develop predictive analytics. We have established a reputation for turning complex spatial data into practical, accurate, and high-fidelity deliverables to enhance decision-making, mitigate risks, achieve strategic objectives, and help drive costs out of our client’s business.
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