Capture and Use of Geo-Located Asset Information using Reality Capture Technologies

Chris Foran & Dave Males SDMM, Halifax, NS

Presentation Objectives • Learn about the use of reality-capture technologies

and workflows to add geo-located imagery to your infrastructure asset systems.

• Keep it high level, create some awareness of what’s possible and start a conversation about what’s probable!

• Showcase some local examples of projects we’ve done around HRM.

How is this Possible and Why? • Historically, GIS managers already working with

reality data (i.e. aerial LiDAR & Photogrammetry). • Convergence of technology (lower-cost terrestrial scanners),

government regulation (UAVs) and qualified service providers supports cost-effective capture of reality data for a much greater range of municipal assets – both linear and vertical.

How is this Possible and Why?

• If a 2D image is worth a 1,000 words, then a 3D, navigable, measureable, location-aware image must be worth 1,0003 ???

• There is a strong push to digitize the physical world to drive better business strategies, enhance project planning, reduce carbon footprint (energy modeling), support sustainable design, etc.

How is this Possible and Why?

• Visualizing our infrastructure assets allows us to better understand and add context to the structured information (i.e. condition assessment).

• Web-enabled, virtual access to infrastructure asset information that is spatial (x,y,z) and visual (RGB) benefits multiple departments such as public works and emergency management, to name a few.

How is this Possible and Why?

Reality Capture - Defined Reality capture (and computing) technology is “enabling the direct capture of spatial information about the physical world for integration into planning, design, construction, and facility [asset] management workflows”.

Reality Capture - Defined Data acquired using reality capture technologies is transformed in to multiple geo-located image formats, including those that are suitable for use in GIS and GIS-enabled asset management systems.

Reality Capture - Workflow

Capture Transform Import/Use Service Provider

Reality Capture – Terrestrial LiDAR 3D laser scanning (terrestrial LiDAR) is a method of acquiring accurate, geometric measurements on the surface of an object or environment into a 3D point cloud. On their own, these point clouds become comprehensive digital records of an entire site that can be mined, time and time again, to extract new information and reveal key elements about an asset.

Reality Capture – Terrestrial LiDAR

Viewing laser scans directly within ArcGIS using ArcScene

Reality Capture – Aerial Mapping Close range aerial mapping, or photogrammetry (CRP) is simply photogrammetric data collection and processing where the subject is less than 1,000 feet away. Collection methods can be both ground- or aerial-based (UAV), and the final output can be rendered either two- or three-dimensionally.

Reality Capture – Aerial Mapping Real-to-life 3D photo-models from aerial mapping are used for site visualization & analysis. ESRI ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension supports import & ArcScene for editing. Orthographic views (GeoTIFFs) are auto geo-located from GPS tagged photos and provide users with reliable, visually compelling data of current asset conditions to support visualization and analysis.

Reality Capture – Aerial Mapping

Import geotagged photographs (site, building) into ArcMap

Quick Look at 2 Examples 1. Mill Cove Pumping Station –

Bedford, NS

2. SDMM Office – Bayers Lake (Halifax), NS

Terrestrial LiDAR (Laser Scanning)

Close-range Aerial Mapping

Questions? Contact Us:

SDMM Reality Computing Services

Chris Foran, cforan@sdmm.ca Dave Males, dmales@sdmm.ca

902-455-1537