Geospatial Solutions
Geospatial Services
What do we do and how do we do it?
SSI collects geospatial data, compiles it and creates the most sophisticated maps and models for our clients. Geospatial technology encompasses Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies. The technologies that SSI specifically uses include Mobile LiDAR (MoLi), VMX, Rail LiDAR (RaLi) and Terrestrial (Tripod) Scanning/LiDAR.
Our geospatial services are ideal for all transportation-related projects, such as road design, bridge under clearance determinations and stringless paving operations. SSI has also used geospatial services for utility locations, airport design and creating highly detailed Digital Terrain Models (DTM). SSI can also provide complete asset management for DOTs, municipalities and private entities.
ACE Benefits: Accuracy, Completeness, Efficiency
The latest technology provides a number of benefits to SSI, which ultimately benefits our clients. You can expect accuracy, completeness and efficiency:
Accuracy: Integrating the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with inertial measurement unit (IMU) and survey control results in survey grade accuracy.
Completeness: Our technology results in complete 3D capture of all infrastructure utilities in survey or GIS accuracy.
Efficiency: The collection speeds possible with LiDAR greatly reduce field time while still providing a complete capture of features.
Our technology also provides SSI with the flexibility of delivering data in a variety of formats, including standard CAD (Microstation, AutoCAD), GIS, DTM, DEM, etc. Perhaps the most important benefit of the new technologies is that mobile data collection reduces exposure of field personnel to the hazards of the road, keeping both workers and motorists safe.
Compatibility with Standard Formats
SSI has a dedicated, fully trained staff to support our mobile LiDAR operations. They are proficient in the latest LiDAR processing software and well-versed in all formats of CADD and several GIS platforms. SSI’s raw LiDAR data is now directly compatible with ESRI’s Arc GIS software. Our highly experienced Mobile LiDAR team ensures project success from mission planning to final deliverable, regardless of project type or location. The flexibility of our LiDAR specialists allows us to offer a broad service area, capable of deploying anywhere worldwide.
Our organization has successfully completed Mobile LiDAR surveying services for a wide range of clients, including state DOTs, cities, counties, contractors, private entities, A/E firms and many more. The majority of our work comes from repeat clients, which is a testament to the quality of service we provide.
Mobile LiDAR
MoLi is a high speed, high performance dual scanner Mobile Mapping System that provides dense, accurate, and feature-rich data at highway speeds. As a complete data collection package capturing 2 million measurements and 500 scan lines per second, this turnkey solution is ideally suited for survey-grade mobile mapping applications.
MoLi is also equipped with the fully integrated 3D Spherical camera system. The high-res imagery captures 6 (5MP) images that are seamlessly sewn together into one +/-30MP image, firing at desired increments. MoLi’s unique INS system can also maintain survey grade accuracy in urban canyons where GPS/GNSS coverage is marginal at best. The combination of components results in extremely detailed and accurate point cloud models.
SSI’s Mobile LiDAR equipment meets or exceeds the accuracy and point density requirements for all the of project categories as specified by the Transportation Research Boards (TRB), NHRCP Report 748. We can customize and tailor our services to meet your project requirements.
VMX Mobile Scanning
The VMX mobile scanning system consists of two scanners mounted in a “V” configuration. The VMX system has an integrated Inertial Navigation System (INS) system and up to 8 high-resolution digital cameras. Multiple cameras ensure a 360-degree field of view. High Definition (HD) virtual tours of the project site can be easily created from the camera imagery. The VMX mobile scanning system allows highly accurate and high-resolution dynamic 3D data to be captured at highway speeds. Yes, that’s literally highway speeds!
The dual head scanner configuration allows the scan vehicle to travel at high speeds without losing any scan data resolution. This speed of travel increases safety for all applications, including mapping of highways, railroads and waterways as well as extended urban areas, construction sites and open pit mines. The speed of the VMX scanners coupled with its accuracy contributes to a significant reduction in project time and cost.
The SSI VMX system uses echo digitization laser scanners that use pulsed time-of-flight technology coupled with internal real-time waveform processing capabilities. This technology allows the system to identify multiple returns or reflections from a single pulse resulting in multiple object detection. With the combination of pulsed time-of-flight technology, and multiple object detection, SSI VMX system collection rates can exceed 3 million points per second.
With two scan heads, every position is measured twice with a single pass. The two-scan head configuration ensures superior project coverage and offers better project accuracies as well. Redundancy ensures quality with confidence.
Rail LiDAR (RaLi) Services
SSI has a fully equipped Hi-Rail (a.k.a. hyrail, highrail or Hy-Rail) vehicle used for scanning and mapping railroad infrastructure using Rail ( RaLi™). The use of RaLi™ to scan railways allows SSI to capture existing track conditions and provide a detailed snapshot of the rail assets, including centenary structures, tracks, switches, frogs, mile marker posts, etc. We can also easily extract a 3D CAD file and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the track bed from the LiDAR scan data.
We have completed many projects throughout the nation for various rail clients. A combination of experience, research, testing, and innovative techniques has allowed SSI to develop and trademark several techniques for Rail LiDAR applications.
Terrestrial (Tripod) Scanning/LiDAR
Tripod-based scanning allows millions of three-dimensional measurements to be collected in a short time. This aggregate of points is known in the industry as a “Point Cloud.” Collecting a point cloud is a non-intrusive way of obtaining a precise snapshot of existing conditions.
The dataset captured by tripod scanners can then be converted into Building Information Models (BIM) for renovation, retrofit and refurbishment tasks. These BIM deliverables are three-dimensional representations of physical objects with built-in intelligence and metadata.
In areas inaccessible to other systems, the terrestrial (tripod) scanner offers an alternative solution to acquire extremely accurate and dense LiDAR data. For small projects, the terrestrial point cloud can also be used in other applications such as engineering design, construction as-built documentation, forensics, asset management, and historical preservation.
There are several different types of laser scanning technologies available: Time of Flight (TOF), Phase Based, and Pulsed Based. SSI understands the strengths of each type of technology and recognizes their limitations. As a result, SSI primarily uses pulsed-based scanners with waveform processing because of its data quality. Depending on budgetary constraints, and lower accuracy requirements, we can also use phase-based scanners for projects in confined areas and shorter distances to targets.
SSI has a tremendous amount of experience in tripod scanning and was an early adopter of this technology. This experience allows us to provide our clients with the ideal solution for their project.