.SERVICES

► Digital Orthophotography

Aerial Data Service uses digital orthophoto technology to create images that are a scale representation of the terrain surface. Digital orthophotos combine recent technological advances in the fields of photogrammetry and graphic arts production. Specialized software enables the user to place the ortho-corrected imagery into the most recent CADD and Geographic Information System (GIS) environments.

To create orthophotos, ADS scans the aerial film, establishes a coordinate system for the photograph, performs aerotriangulation to transform the photo coordinates to ground coordinates, and then creates a digital elevation model (DEM) from the resulting stereo-photography. With these data, a pixel-by-pixel orthophoto rectification is performed to develop the orthophoto - a geo-referenced, scale-correct representation of the terrain surface.

Digital orthophotos are commonly used as a layer in a GIS. They can also be used for planning purposes, drainage studies, plan and profile sheets, and corridor alignment studies. Ink-jet, electrostatic, and thermal plotters can be used to plot digital orthophoto images. If desired, vector data (line work) can be superimposed over the image.

► Digital Mapping

ADS uses softcopy workstations with Cardinal System’s VR software for planimetric and DEM data collection. This technology allows aerial photographic raster images and map data to be viewed three-dimensionally. After map compilation, cartographic editing is performed. Contours are determined from DTM data, labels are added and final tiles are extracted and plotted. For Geographical Information System (GIS) and engineering design, our cartographic editors review the data to ensure that it is ready for system implementation. Maps and DTM data are delivered in all popular software formats, including AutoCAD®, MicroStation® and ESRI.

The Federal Services Department has provided timely, accurate, mission critical and feature rich datasets for our customers for over a decade. With over 60 years of mapping experience, the staff at ADS has provided support for DNC, FFD, LOC, UFD and various crisis support projects.

► Mobile LiDAR

Transportation infrastructure is an important component of our culture that is constantly evolving. Roadways are a large part of this transformation, due to population growth in urban areas and an increasing mobility of our society. As a result of this change, lane closures must occur to allow the acquisition of 3D data when new design projects emerge. Lane closures pose an enormous safety risk for surveyors working along the corridor, as well as, the traveling public. To mitigate these issues, ADS utilizes mobile LiDAR technology as an acquisition tool that is capable of collecting detailed topographic and infrastructure related information. The use of this technology and the capability to collect data at highway speeds, day or night, with a minimum of field crew exposure, reduces the logistics involved in lane closures.

At 400,000 points per second, the LYNX Mobile Mapper collects massive amounts of point data quickly and accurately.  Utilizing this latest mobile technology increases safety and saves time and cost on highway corridor projects. Further, mobile LiDAR far exceeds the capabilities of airborne systems with regards to point densification and accuracy.

In addition to transportation infrastructure, ADS has also collected railway infrastructure, transmission line (predictive utility maintenance), airport runways, historical preservation and volumetric projects to name a few.  With the variety of projects ADS has collected with the LYNX system, the reoccurring theme is rapid collection of highly accurate data. Again, the ability to “reuse” the data for extracting useful data for future design projects makes this technology attractive to many of our clients.  Change is inevitable on most design projects and the ability to extract more data if the need arises saves time and cost on future projects.

► Asset Management

Imagine collecting every asset visible within 100 meters of a road, a daunting task for sure. Now imagine being able to collect it at the posted speed limit - our mobile laser scanner gives us that luxury. It has two multi-position cameras mounted and geographically tied to the system for use in locating assets. The combination of highly accurate point cloud data and geo-referenced, ground level imagery gives us the capability of identifying and cataloging assets and terrain features along any transportation corridor. This data can then be input into any format that might be used to record or track asset condition, maintenance and location.

► Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

In the past, geographical information systems were assembled manually. Hardcopy maps, overlays, and transparencies were stored in filing cabinets rather than on computers. Map data were compiled, and different layers were overlaid to create map composites. Then, attribute data were manually referenced.

Now, with more advanced computer technology, map data, vector, and raster can be collected, layered, and stored digitally. Data are recalled by layer, as needed, to create map overlays or thematic maps. With GIS technology, attribute data - such as addressing, ownership, soil classifications, utilities, traffic patterns, social, and economic - as well as other non-graphical information are stored in a database and then linked to graphical map data.

A GIS can perform queries of graphic and attribute databases and then output the data to the computer screen or plotting device. The results can be stored, creating new data layers in the system. Data may also be shared among multiple users and different agencies via Internet and Intranet connections. Mobile units, including police, fire, and ambulance, can use the data in the field.

Aerial Data Service provides ground control networks and digital photogrammetric base mapping for the implementation of GIS data.

► Land Use Planning Mapping

Laser scanning and photogrammetry are excellent resources for land planning. A virtual representation using a 3D point cloud captures everything you would normally see driving down a road. Mobile LiDAR data not only helps with planning the placement of landscape features, it can be analyzed for the correct placement of features.

Laser scanned data can also reveal if the placement of landscape feature elements obstruct the view of drivers within a road or parking corridor. Through the combination of photogrammetric techniques and the cutting edge technology of 3D point cloud collection, ADS has the tools to satisfy both large and small land planning projects, whether they are new construction or existing design changes.

► Surveying

Since 1989, Aerial Data Service has used Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to accurately and efficiently perform photogrammetric control surveys and establish control networks. Twenty-eight (28) U.S. Department of Defense Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR) satellites transmit time and satellite-position information to ground-based GPS receivers. Baselines are determined between the ground GPS receivers and the satellites, and coordinate positions are then calculated.

→ Aerial Photo Control
→ Parcel Mapping
→ Boundary Surveys
→ Design Surveys
→ Right-of -Way Easements
→ GPS Control Surveys
→ Topographic Surveys
→ Right-of-Way Acquisition surveys and mapping
→ Drainage Feature Surveys
→ As-Built Surveys
→ HDS Laser Scanning