Rebuilding through Innovation

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Ninth Ward of New Orleans in 2005, and recovery is still underway. This article discusses how mobile LiDAR surveys are helping to expedite reconstruction and redesign projects in the Ninth Ward. Mobile LiDAR was chosen to collect ground data for a detailed topographic utility survey for major drainage canal improvements in the ward. Field crews set primary and secondary control throughout the project area. The primary control used three permanent monuments set at locations specified by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); the coordinates were collected by static GPS observations on multiple days. The secondary control consisted of 103 survey points spread throughout the work area. The coordinates were collected horizontally using multiple GPS locations; vertical values were established through digital leveling. The final control point values were used by surveyors to constrain the LiDAR data collected with a mobile mapper. The project area consisted of several areas of interest that included streets, overpasses, multiple train tracks, train trestles, drainage canals, and an extensive network of overhead utilities. To collect the data on all of these features using conventional survey methods would have taken several months. Data collection for the entire 120-acre area, containing approximately 4 miles of city streets, only took four hours using the LiDAR method. Once the data was collected and all of the initial processing completed, the LiDAR point clouds were registered, stitched together, and merged with the high-resolution images that are captured simultaneously by the mobile mapping system. All of the asphalt and concrete edges, fences, buildings, power poles, and the lowest elevations on overhead features were traced. Overpasses, train tracks, and train trestles were also modeled. Additional work was done with the LiDAR data set to generate and process a digital terrain model. Conventional survey methods were used to supplement and complement the LiDAR data collection. The entire project was completed and delivered in six weeks while achieving the tolerances set forth by the USACE.

• Record URL:
  http://www.cenews.com/magazine-article-cenews.com-4-2012-rebuilding_through_innovation-8786.html
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10519629
• Authors:
  • Bailey, Brian
• Publication Date: 2012-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 42-44, 46
• Serial:
  • CE News
  • Volume: 24
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Zweig White Information Services
  • ISSN: 1051-9629
  • Serial URL: http://www.cenews.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Data collection; Laser radar; Reconstruction; Surveying; Surveying instruments
• Identifier Terms: Hurricane Katrina, 2005
• Geographic Terms: New Orleans (Louisiana)
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Transportation (General); I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01372559
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 14 2012 10:56AM