High-definition surveying

For the Aeropuerto Internacional de Isla Verde (San Juan, PR), Atkins is provided topographical surveying information using HDS. This included the recovery and establishment of horizontal and vertical control.

For the Myakka River Bridge pursuit, Atkins scanned and photographed the bridge using a Leica C10 laser scanner.

Atkins provided HDS and mapping services at Fort Jefferson, Florida, for the National Park Service. The surveys were part of a 3-year, $6 million project to stabilize and restore two of the fort’s walls.

Surveying at the speed of light

High-definition surveying

High-definition surveying (HDS) is a non-intrusive means of rapidly collecting detailed and accurate as-built data. A 3D laser scanner emits a narrow, eye-safe laser beam that sweeps across a target object, such as a bridge or a building, gathering millions of closely spaced measurements (points with a unique X, Y, and Z, values) in a matter of minutes. These scanned measurements are collected and grouped into a comprehensive point cloud database that can be easily manipulated on a standard desktop or laptop computer. This data can be viewed, navigated, and analyzed much like a 3D model created in a traditional CAD system.

Typical deliverables• Building information models• Digital terrain models• Door/window schedules • Electrical plants• Floor plans• Foundation plans• Historic American Buildings

Survey/Historic American Engineering Record drawings

• Interior/exterior elevations• Reflected ceiling plans• Roof plans• Sections• Site plans• Space and asset inventories• Spatial Data Standards for

Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment-compliant GIS data

• Structural plans

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Bridging the digital divide

Clients

• Construction companies• Federal and state agencies• Planners• Structural engineers• Toll authorities• Transportation engineers

Benefits

• Accurate • Economic• Fast• Integrated• Level of detail• Non-intrusive• Proven • Safe• Visual

Typical deliverables: • 3D models• Digital terrain models• Lane striping configuration

plans• Orthorectified imagery• Sections, elevations, and

profiles• Site plans• Structural plans• Surface deviation reports• Two-/three-dimensional

planimetrics• Vertical/horizontal clearances

Use of HDS 3D laser scanning on I-124 (US 27) provided fast, efficient collection of as-built geometry with a higher level of accuracy than conventional survey methods.

The North Texas Tollway Authority relied upon Atkins’ 3D laser scanning expertise for the widening of the Dallas North Tollway to assist in the design of additional lanes near the toll plaza. Atkins used a Leica HDS laser scanner to safely acquire the existing conditions data of the busy highway without closing or sending any personnel into traffic.

Using a HDS laser scanner, the Atkins team verified bridge clearances for an interchange just outside of Orlando Florida. This technology allowed field technicians to quickly and safely acquire enough data to verify the as-built bridge data and clearances, and model the entire roadway and bridge structure. This enabled the transportation engineers to modify their proposed design solution utilizing real world data; data that was ultimately used for design activities.

Gathering highly accurate, detailed survey data for improvements to existing roadways can be dangerous and expensive. Traditional surveying does not always provide the detail necessary for roadway improvement projects and can be dangerous in areas with heavy traffic. Keeping surveyors safe while obtaining accurate information often requires lane closures, which impedes traffic flow and increases time and expenses for the public. HDS is an accurate, cost-effective, and safe alternative.

Laser measurement technology has improved the workflow and efficiency of surveying methods used for decades by enabling the capture of data at the speed of light. Using HDS, in conjunction with proven workflow procedures, Atkins offers detailed, cost-effective topographic surveys of highways, tollways, urban arterial roadways, bridges, and elevated structures. Given the added value of acquiring more detailed data in less time without impacting traffic flow or interfering with daily operations is a valuable solution for today’s designer.

On a typical project, detailed 3D data is remotely captured with an average of 3-inch spacing or better throughout the project. The data is used to create detailed digital terrain models that provide a very accurate depiction of the roadway. Beyond typical topographic data, information such as the location of pavement failures, cracks, areas of stress and possible ponding, and aerial utilities within and beyond the project limits are easily identified. Atkins also uses this cutting-edge technology to collect precise deformation measurements to monitor surface deviations. In the past, it was not economically possible to capture this level of detail, but Atkins has repeatedly proven the benefits of this service to the transportation industry.

Ground-based terrestrial laser scanning is safer, more accurate, and less expensive than light detection and ranging (LiDAR), low-altitude mapping photography, or traditional surveying methods.

An Atkins geomaticist takes precise measurements using the HDS ScanStation C10 on I-75, looking southbound near Atlanta, Georgia.

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Refining the as-built process As-built versus “as-is”

Gathering detailed and accurate existing conditions of congested on- and off-shore facilities is a major challenge of any retrofit project. Atkins’ experience and background using the latest technology to collect reliable, as-built data for these types of projects has proven to reduce or eliminate costly field reworks, resulting in less down time and improved client/owner satisfaction. Our field crews are committed to ensuring our safety as well as the safety of those working in the vicinity of our projects. Through annual training, our field crews maintain all necessary safety, health, and environmental certifications and qualifications.

Once the data is collected, our experienced staff produces deliverables in the format requested by our clients using 3D modeling and point cloud processing. Atkins has established, long-term relationships and is recognized as an approved contractor with many of the leading oil and gas, petrochemical, and energy companies.

Capturing accurate as-built documentation of existing buildings, structures, and sites in a timely and cost-effective manner has been a challenge for centuries. Construction drawings, when available, do not always reflect true, “as-is” conditions, and traditional as-built methods lack the accuracy and detail required by today’s architects and planners. Using the latest, ultra-fast laser scanning techniques, Atkins is capable of collecting dense 3D data in considerably less time, resulting in significant cost savings. We focus on providing effective and efficient information for each project and scope through the utilization of this efficient methodology. Proven CAD extraction procedures are implemented to provide clear and accurate records of existing conditions with concise details determined by architectural plan standards.

Atkins delivers ready-to-use, accurate, as-is CAD architectural drawings (plans, elevations, reflected ceiling plans, sections, and profiles), orthorectified photographs (distortion-free, scaled images), 3D models, building information models (BIM), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) drawings, and laser-scanned point clouds of buildings, structures, urban areas, and archeological sites.

Clients• Architects• Building owners • Construction companies• Developers• Engineers• Fabrication and equipment

manufacturers• Facility/asset managers• Facility managers• Federal and state agencies • Historians• Homeowners• Interior designers• Planners• Power and electric

companies• Oil and gas, petrochemical

(on- and off-shore)• Departments of

Transportation

With more than 20 years of combined, diverse laser scanning expertise, our talented staff offers superior service, quick turn around, and competitive fees for federal and state agencies as well as architectural firms, small and large.

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Conventional survey approach: 10-acre boundary and survey

Task PSM4-person

crewSurvey

technician CAD

technician Total hours

Preparation 1 1 2

Establish control 8 8

Conventionally locate terrain features (2.5 acres daily)

40 40

Storm and sanitary sewer location

1 4 5

Property corner recovery and location

6 8 14

Processing 10 10

CAD 8 8 16

Boundary resolution and research

10 4 14

Quality assurance/ quality control

2 1 2 5

Unit total 20 60 20 14 114

Unit cost $125 $185 $95 $45 -

Total cost $2,500 $11,100 $1,900 $630 $16,130

Total cost savings: $6,300 (39%)

HDS survey approach: 10-acre boundary and survey

Task PSM2-person

crewSurvey

technician CAD

technician Total hours

Preparation 1 1 2

Establish control 8 8

Locate terrain features with HDS (10 acres daily)

8 8

Storm and sanitary sewer location

1 4 5

Property corner recovery and loca-tion

6 8 14

Processing 10 10

CAD 8 40 48

Boundary resolution and research

10 4 14

Quality assurance/ quality control

2 1 2 5

Unit total 20 28 20 46 114

Unit cost $125 $120 $95 $45 -

Total cost $2,500 $3,360 $1,900 $2,070 $9,830

Cost benefits of using HDS

Class 3R laser product (eye-safe)

Increased accuracy

• Accuracy of single measurement (position: 6 mm [1/4”], distance – 4 mm [1/6”])

• Angle – 60 microradians• Modeled surface precision• 2 mm (1/12”) standard deviation

Extremely mobile

• Half the weight of its predecessor the ScanStation2• Self-contained batteries• Onboard software• No cables• Easily transportable

13X faster than its predecessor ScanSation 2

• High speed reduces field time while providing excellent range and survey-grade accuracy for each point

• Up to 40% field savings vs. traditional methods

Unprecedented versatility

• Uses targets, traverse, resection, or free-station registration and “geo-referencing” methods as site logistics

• Self-contained unit

Leica ScanStation C10, the new scanner in town

In addition to faster results, shorter project cycle times, higher level of detail, and unobtrusive data capture, HDS offers significant cost savings as compared to traditional surveying. This includes

lower cost as-built and topographic surveys, reduction in number of return to site visits, and reduced downtime. This is further demonstrated by the direct comparison charts that directly follow.

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Extremely detailed models are capable through the use of HDS point cloud data. Tampa International Airport Tampa, Florida

Because it works under the tree canopy, HDS eliminates obscure areas produced by aerial mapping. Rosery Road Belleair Bluffs, Florida

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