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BlueSky models new road from the air
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Aerial mapping company BlueSky has created a detailed 3D map to support East Renfrewshire Council's Road Transportation Service in the construction of a new link road in the Barrhead district to the west of Glasgow. Captured using the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) distance measurement system, the aircraft-mounted laser technology determines accurate heights of land and buildings. The digital data, which provides height above sea level readings every metre with an accuracy of 15 centimetres, is being used to accurately calculate 'cut and fill' volumes in preparation for the earthworks stage of the project.
BlueSky used a survey aircraft equipped with a system of lasers, which flew over the proposed route of the road at a height of less than 700 metres above the ground. The lasers were beamed to the surface and the time taken for the beam to be bounced back to receivers mounted onboard the aircraft was recorded. Using the position of the aircraft, from the on board satellite positioning equipment, the time taken for the return of the laser beam and the known value of the speed of light the distance between the aircraft and ground was calculated. In order to increase the detail of the height model mirrors were used to deflect the laser beam creating multiple measurements from a single pass of the aircraft.
“BlueSky delivered somewhere in the region of 1 million individual spot heights,” said Fred Abercrombie, Principal Engineer. “Using Bentley MicroStation we created a triangulated model of the actual ground surface against which we can model the proposed route of the new road. This detailed information will enable us to accurately calculate cut and fill volumes to assist with the design and earthmoving stages of the project.”
The dataset was created to a very high specification in order to meet the requirements of the Council for accurate volume calculations. The measurement points are at intervals of 1 metre and have an accuracy of + / – 15 centimetres, meaning fine detail on the ground can be accurately modelled.
BlueSky are UK based specialists in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. With projects extending from New York to Paris they have an international reputation for the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations. BlueSky also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital maps, site plans, satellite imagery, aerial photography and ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.
