The Commercialization of High Resolution Data for ......•Payload: Zenmuse X5-16MP RGB, Flir XT-R...others coming soon 50MP? •135 Degree Oblique Range, Upward Capability (Nadir

The Commercialization of High Resolution Data for Construction, Design and Planning

Nathan Fischer, PE

Woolpert Office Locations:Arlington, VAAtlanta, GACharleston, SCCharlotte, NCChesapeake, VAChicago, ILCincinnati, OHCleveland, OHColumbia, SC

Columbus, OHDallas, TXDayton, OHDenver, COFairview Heights, ILFlorence, KYGreenville, SCIndianapolis, INMiami, FL

Orlando, FLPittsburgh, PARichmond, VAScottsdale, AZSt. Louis, MO

23 Offices acrossthe nation.

Our areas of expertise.

• Established in 1911• Over 700 Professionals• $12,000,000 invested in new technology in

last 5 years• First Aerial Mapping Project 1969• Pioneer in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

Mapping since 2012– First survey and mapping firm to receive

333 Exemption from the FAA– First to develop metric aerial mapping

camera to attach to a UAS

About Woolpert

Rules and RegulationsTypes of Systems

System AccuraciesSample Projects

Topics

Rules and Regulations

FAA UAS Regulations: Part 107

• These rules help define whether or not UAS can be used on a given project

• Breakthrough set of rules that help define commercial UAS operation

• Useful changes with Part 107:• No pilot requirement• No visual observer requirement• Can conduct more operations with

air traffic control tower (ATCT) permission

• If higher than 400 ft AGL, UAS is allowed to fly within 400 ft of a structure

FAA UAS Regulations: Part 107

• Unspecific language about direct participants• Can signs be placed or

authorities notified?

• Still required to maintain line of sight• 1 mile radially from ground

control station

• Certificates of waiver can still be granted

Remaining Regulations

Types of Systems

Cessna 404“Traditional”

Cessna 182“Pod System”

or“Renaissance”

Aerial Commander

UAS“VTOL”

UAS “Fixed Wing”

Utilizing the Appropriate System

Altitud

e

Considerations for Choosing an Airframe

• How big is the project area?• What spatial resolution do I need? 5cm, 2cm, 1cm, Less?• What spectral resolution do I need? RGB, CIR, Thermal?• Do I need absolute accuracy or is relative accuracy good enough? • Are there other special needs for the project such as oblique or 3D

modeling deliverables?

Fixed Wing – Altavian Nova Block III

• Platform: Nova Block III• Endurance: 90min• Cruise Speed 35mph• Max Speed 70mph• Altitude Max. 1000ft AGL • Wing Span: 108 inches (9ft)• Length: 67 inches (5.5ft)• Weight: 15 lbs. maximum takeoff weight (MTOW)• Highly sophisticated flight planning, ground control station• and operation• 32 MP Metric Payload, 22 MP 4-Band, Hyperspectral

Vertical Take-Off and Landing – Kespry 1.0

• Platform: Kespry• Endurance: 25min• Speed: 15mph• Altitude Max: 400ft• Weight: 5.8lbs• Payload: Nadir 24MP RGB• Completely autonomous rotary wing• Self-controlled flight with no joysticks• Drone takes off and returns to same location• Field-swappable battery for low downtime between flights• Built-in camera links to on-board network communication

Vertical Take-Off and Landing – DJI Phantom 2

• Platform: DJI Phantom 2• Endurance: 25min• Max. Speed: 30mph• Altitude Max: 400ft• Weight: 5.8lbs• Payload: 12 MP RGB• 90 Degree oblique range (Nadir to 90)

Vertical Take-Off and Landing – DJI Inspire Pro

• Platform: DJI Inspire Pro• Endurance: 20 min• Max. Speed: 40mph• Altitude Max: 400ft• Weight: 7.7lbs• Payload: Zenmuse X5-16MP RGB, Flir XT-R...others coming soon 50MP?• 135 Degree Oblique Range, Upward Capability (Nadir to 135)

Vertical Take-Off and Landing – DJI Matrice 210

• Platform: DJI Matrice 210• Endurance: 38min• Max Speed: 50mph• Weight: 10lbs• Up to 4.5lb (2kg) Payload capacity• RTK• Weather/water resistant and capable of flying in sub 0 temps• Payload: Zenmuse X5S-21MP RGB, Flir XT-R (Thermal), LiDAR, Upward

facing gimbal option for inspections

Alternatives – RENAISSANCE TM

Cessna 182 “RenaissanceTM” System

• Unaffected by FAA UAS Regulations• Provides an alternative for UAS-

challenged areas• Suitable for larger areas

Alternatives – RENAISSANCE TM

• A non-traditional Imaging system– 6-inch, 3-inch, 2-centimeter products – Inexpensive acquisition, low mobility expenses– Automated workflow (low processing expenses)– FAST Delivery

• Driven by Affordability– Consumer Grade Camera– Single-Engine Aircraft– Pilot-Only Operation– Fly places where UAS can’t– Computer-Vision Processing

System Accuracies

The Renaissance Platform

• Flown over the county road in Dayton• Altitude 1,100 ft. AGL• GSD = 2 cm• Five flight lines• 38 ground control and check points

used

1.3 miles

RENAISSANCETM Accuracy Evaluation Plan

Products from RENAISSANCETM

2-cm Orthos40 to 700 pts/m2 point clouds

Accuracy Verification: Controls Layout Scenarios 1.3 miles

B C D E F G

A B C D E F G0 4 6 8 10 21 3838 34 32 30 28 17 04.47 0.23 0.16 0.18 0.13 0.05 0.051.89 0.26 0.20 0.14 0.14 0.07 0.054.86 0.35 0.26 0.23 0.19 0.08 0.0613.51 0.54 0.71 0.40 0.35 0.26 0.178.40 0.60 0.45 0.39 0.34 0.14 0.1126.49 1.05 1.40 0.78 0.69 0.52 0.34

Accuracy Term

Horizontal Accuracy at 95% (ft.)Vertical Accuracy at 95% (ft.)

RMSE Elev. (ft.)

Processing Scenario

Number of Control PointsNumber of Check Points

RMSE E (ft.)RMSE N (ft.)

Radial RMSE N,E (ft.)

How Accurate are the RENAISSANCETM Products?

HorizontalVertical

The winner: Pair of GCPs every 500 to 700 ft. along

the route

RENAISSANCETM : Can we meet DOTs’ Vertical Accuracy Specs ?

DTM Accuracy Class Recommended UseMaximum Allowable Average Dz (feet)

Maximum Allowable RMSE (feet)

Class B

Vegetated areas outside of pavement that are maintained at a minimum biannual frequency (i.e.: farm fields, residential yards, roadside R/W, etcetera)

± 0.25 0.32

Class C Vegetated areas that are not maintained ± 0.50 0.5

Class DAreas where vertical accuracy is not critical or warranted (i.e.: planning engineering projects)

± 1.00 1.00

Class A Paved areas ± 0.07 0.16

Ohio DOT Specifications

4.86 0.35 0.26 0.23 0.19 0.08 0.0613.51 0.54 0.71 0.40 0.35 0.26 0.17RMSE Elev. (ft.)



Planimetric Accuracy Class

Recommended Use Maximum Allowable

RMSE (ft)

Class IIProjects that require Class II planimetric features listed in Appendix A to be identified and mapped (ie: planning studies)

1.0

Class IProjects that require Class I planimetric features listed in Appendix A to be identified and mapped (ie: design engineering projects)

0.3

4.86 0.35 0.26 0.23 0.19 0.08 0.0613.51 0.54 0.71 0.40 0.35 0.26 0.17RMSE Elev. (ft.)


RENAISSANCETM : Can we meet DOTs’ Horizontal Accuracy Specs ?

Woolpert UAS: Accuracy Evaluation Plan

• Used Woolpert’s Kespry• Flown from 350 ft. AGL• GSD = 2.7 cm• Five flight lines• 49 control and check points

Accuracy VerificationTwo surveys

49 control/check points

D

A

A

vv

C

E

F G

Woolpert UAS Program: Accuracy Evaluation Plan

A B C D E F G29 0 4 5 7 9 1320 49 45 44 42 40 360.22 2.34 0.16 0.18 0.17 0.18 0.180.18 1.40 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.150.29 2.73 0.21 0.23 0.22 0.23 0.240.32 1.62 1.35 0.32 0.23 0.25 0.290.49 4.72 0.36 0.40 0.39 0.39 0.410.62 3.17 2.65 0.63 0.45 0.49 0.57

Processing ScenarioAccuracy Term

Number of Control PointsNumber of Check Points

RMSE E (ft.)RMSE N (ft.)

Radial RMSE N,E (ft.)RMSE Elev. (ft.)

Horizontal Accuracy at 95% (ft.)Vertical Accuracy at 95% (ft.)

Horizontal

Vertical

Can we obtain < 0.2 ft. vertical accuracy?Perhaps if we fly it from an altitude of 150 to 200 ft. AGL

How Accurate are the UAS-derived Products?Imagery GSD = 2.7 cm Altitude 350 ft. AGL

DTM Accuracy Class Recommended UseMaximum Allowable Average Dz (feet)

Maximum Allowable RMSE (feet)

Class B

Vegetated areas outside of pavement that are maintained at a minimum biannual frequency (i.e.: farm fields, residential yards, roadside R/W, etcetera)

± 0.25 0.32

Class C Vegetated areas that are not maintained ± 0.50 0.5

Class DAreas where vertical accuracy is not critical or warranted (i.e.: planning engineering projects)

± 1.00 1.00

Class A Paved areas ± 0.07 0.16

0.29 2.73 0.21 0.23 0.22 0.23 0.240.32 1.62 1.35 0.32 0.23 0.25 0.29



UAS: Can we meet DOTs’ Vertical Accuracy Specs ?

UAS: Can we meet DOTs’ Horizontal Accuracy Specs ?

0.29 2.73 0.21 0.23 0.22 0.23 0.240.32 1.62 1.35 0.32 0.23 0.25 0.29



Planimetric Accuracy Class

Recommended Use Maximum Allowable

RMSE (ft)

Class IIProjects that require Class II planimetric features listed in Appendix A to be identified and mapped (ie: planning studies)

1.0

Class IProjects that require Class I planimetric features listed in Appendix A to be identified and mapped (ie: design engineering projects)

0.3

Quantifying the Accuracy

• Processing Session E:• Horizontal RMSE: 0.225 ft• Vertical RMSE: 0.232 ft

• All specs but DTM paved area appear to have been met

• 1 foot contours appear to be attainable

• Planimetric specifications are achieved

• Perfect site, with minimal obstacles• Trying other platforms and/or camera

systems• Pair the system with other methods of

collection, Mobile Lidar.

Do we feel that the Kespry can meet ODOT specs?

Sample Projects

UAS—DeliverablesOne collect = multiple datasets

1 cm GSD Orthos DSM/DTM Colorized Point Cloud

Portsmouth Bypass, Scioto County, Ohio

• Joint venture effort to develop a 17 mi, 4 lane, limited access highway bypass

• Collected with our RenaissanceTM

system

• Project area was too complex to rely on standard UAS:

• Size of project• Limited visibility• Dynamic construction











Senecaville Well Pad, Noble County, Ohio

• Collected with our Altavian fixed wing platform

• Dynamic terrain presented challenges for fixed wing operation

• Overall accuracies were greater than comparable sites flown with VTOLs






Senecaville Point Cloud, Noble County, Ohio

US-79 in Clarendon – Historical Bridge Preservation, Monroe County, Arkansas

Slope Failure, Wetzel County, West Virginia

Slope Failure, Wetzel County, West Virginia

Petersburg and Overman Road – Highland County, Ohio




Thank you!

[email protected]

Documents

The Commercialization of High Resolution Data for ......•Payload: Zenmuse X5-16MP RGB, Flir XT-R...others coming soon 50MP? •135 Degree Oblique Range, Upward Capability (Nadir