Mobile Laser Scanning for Rail Mobile Laser Scanning for Rail ApplicationsApplications

SAM Inc. OverviewSAM Inc. Overview Founded in Founded in

19941994 Three Offices Three Offices

In Texas: In Texas: Austin (HQ), Austin (HQ), Dallas, Dallas, HoustonHouston

140+ 140+ EmployeesEmployees

Mobile and HDS Mobile and HDS Laser ScanningLaser Scanning

Aerial MappingAerial Mapping GIS ServicesGIS Services Land SurveyingLand Surveying Subsurface Subsurface

Utility Utility EngineeringEngineering

A mobile mapping solution that incorporates LiDAR, cameras, position, and navigation (GPS & Inertial Measurement Unit – IMU)

System ConfigurationSystem Configuration Dual LiDAR sensors doubles coverage Dual LiDAR sensors doubles coverage

area & improves data resolutionarea & improves data resolution Scanning Speeds up to 60mphScanning Speeds up to 60mph Less laser shadowingLess laser shadowing

SpecificationsSpecifications LiDAR sensors: 2LiDAR sensors: 2 Cameras: currently 2 5-mega pixel, integrating 2 additional 5-Cameras: currently 2 5-mega pixel, integrating 2 additional 5-

mega pixel for 360 degree view of scan areamega pixel for 360 degree view of scan area Scanner field of view: 360 degreesScanner field of view: 360 degrees Laser System measurement rate: 400,000 points per second Laser System measurement rate: 400,000 points per second System Maximum Range: 1200’System Maximum Range: 1200’ Relative accuracy (points within scan data): 0.023’Relative accuracy (points within scan data): 0.023’ Absolute accuracy: 0.164’Absolute accuracy: 0.164’

Assumes good GPS quality, Accuracy maybe improved via Assumes good GPS quality, Accuracy maybe improved via post- processing techniquespost- processing techniques

(Real world applications achieving 0.08’ with a good GPS (Real world applications achieving 0.08’ with a good GPS solution) solution)

Laser classification: IEC/CDRH Class 1 eye-safeLaser classification: IEC/CDRH Class 1 eye-safe

What Are We Collecting?

Mobile Laser Scanning Applications:Mobile Laser Scanning Applications:

•Asset Inventory Data•Rail Yards – Rails, Yard Roads, Yard Facilities, etc•Under Cutting Projects – Bridges & Track Profiles•Clearance Information – Bridge and Tunnel Data, High & Wide Routes, Gap Analysis @ Station Platforms, etc•Engineering Design Data•Rail Bed Profiles

•Asset Inventory Data•Rail Yards – Rails, Yard Roads, Yard Facilities, etc•Under Cutting Projects – Bridges & Track Profiles•Clearance Information – Bridge and Tunnel Data, High & Wide Routes, Gap Analysis @ Station Platforms, etc•Engineering Design Data•Rail Bed Profiles

Data ProcessingData Processing Point Clouds and imagery provide a Point Clouds and imagery provide a

wealth of information wealth of information They are very large and need to be They are very large and need to be

“Mined” to maximize their utility“Mined” to maximize their utility Data sets can be used repeatedly for Data sets can be used repeatedly for

different projectsdifferent projects Point Cloud data can be processed to Point Cloud data can be processed to

meet specific requirements and data meet specific requirements and data format for each projectformat for each project

Data Classification

Initial Post Processing

FeatureExtraction

Data FormatsData Formats Data can be output into to Data can be output into to

numerous formatsnumerous formats

The final deliverable products are The final deliverable products are dependant on end users needsdependant on end users needs

Many data types will work within Many data types will work within multiple environmentsmultiple environments

Project ExampleProject Example Commuter Rail Line Commuter Rail Line

• 32 miles long32 miles long• Collected in one dayCollected in one day

Two deliverable types and two Two deliverable types and two different control methods and different control methods and accuracy standards to produceaccuracy standards to produce• GIS Mapping GIS Mapping • Engineering Design DataEngineering Design Data

GIS MAPPINGGIS MAPPING Controlled Using GPS Base

stations Full Asset Collection

• Planimetric mapping• Topographic Mapping• Utilities• Rail Features• Rail Geometry

Data Output ESRI ArcGIS Feature attribution

for signage Integrated with

other available GIS

data sets

GIS MAPPINGGIS MAPPING

Controlled Controlled Using GPS Base Using GPS Base stations and stations and targeted targeted ground controlground control

Less than .1 Less than .1 foot spatial foot spatial accuracy accuracy

Full topographic Full topographic mapping for mapping for appr. 2 milesappr. 2 miles

Design MappingDesign Mapping

Data Output Micron Station

and GeoPak Integrated

with other available GIS

data sets

Design MappingDesign Mapping

Design MappingDesign Mapping

Summary/Benefits• High density/high accuracy systemHigh density/high accuracy system

• Flexible data formats to meet various end Flexible data formats to meet various end user needsuser needs

• Capture scan points once – ability to Capture scan points once – ability to complete data “mining” for multiple projectscomplete data “mining” for multiple projects

• Provides accurate positions for all scanned Provides accurate positions for all scanned points, including the sizeable percentage of points, including the sizeable percentage of railroad elements that are inaccessible orrailroad elements that are inaccessible or difficult to target and locate even with the difficult to target and locate even with the use of reflectorless total stationsuse of reflectorless total stations

Summary/Benefits• Safety – for field crews and rail Safety – for field crews and rail

facilities (the Laser Sensor’s facilities (the Laser Sensor’s Classification is Class 1 eye-safe) Classification is Class 1 eye-safe)

• Limited track time needed means less Limited track time needed means less time “fouling” the tracks to produce time “fouling” the tracks to produce surveyssurveys

QUESTIONS ?QUESTIONS ?

Chris Formeller, CP, RPPChris Formeller, CP, RPPSenior Project ManagerSenior Project Manager

Surveying & Mapping, Inc. (SAM, Inc.)Surveying & Mapping, Inc. (SAM, Inc.)5508 West Highway 290, Building B,5508 West Highway 290, Building B,

Austin, Texas 78735Austin, Texas 78735tel 512.447.0575tel 512.447.0575dir 512.493.0207dir 512.493.0207fax 512.326.3029fax 512.326.3029cell 512.773.6957cell 512.773.6957

cformeller@saminc.bizcformeller@saminc.biz