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MD Atlantic Technologies is a leading supplier of geospatial
information, digital aerial photography, photogrammetric mapping,
airborne LIDAR data, and GIS database information. The organization
provides geographic and spatial solutions to state and federal
agencies, municipal governments, and the private sector. With
a team of highly skilled professionals, MD Atlantic maintains
its position as a leading-edge company at the forefront of
the geospatial industry.
MD Atlantic was asked to undertake an extensive mapping project
of Montgomery County, Alabama. A comprehensive dataset of
geographic information was to be incorporated into the county's
GIS system as part of its expanding GIS program. Planimetric
and topographic data was required for an area covering approximately
790 square miles of rolling terrain, to include transportation
networks, hydrographic features, and urban structures for
all towns and cities, including Montgomery, the state capital.
Color orthophotography was required together with a DTM (Digital
Terrain Model), which would accurately define the topography
of the county, and be used to generate 2' contour information.
LIDAR Survey
"With the point cloud density achievable
with LIDAR and the accuracy of the integrated
POS AV system, we were able to precisely position
both terrain data and aerial imagery, which made
for a very efficient workflow."
Steve Ashbee
General Manager MD Atlantic Technologies
To effectively complete the project, MD Atlantic's solution
was to use two types of sensors to capture the information,
an Optech 1210 LIDAR system, and a Leica RC30 aerial camera.
Both technologies use integrated POS AV systems to generate
sensor-specific position and orientation information. "We
were confident that the accuracy of the POS AV would allow
us to integrate both the LIDAR and the mapping data perfectly."
Steve Ashbee explained. "Rather than produce a complete
DTM using stereocompilation, LIDAR will generate it in a fraction
of the time. We then supplement the LIDAR mass point data
with breaklines, road edge and hydrographic features captured
photogrammetrically from the aerial photo, to produce a very
accurate and true depiction of the terrain."
Flying at an altitude of 3,280' the elevation data was acquired
very quickly, with overlapping parallel swaths generating
accurate XYZ point cloud information ready for mission post-processing.
The terrain data was easily integrated into the project workflow
and the required contour information generated. Although the
LIDAR data was captured independently of the aerial photography,
the accuracy of the POS AV on both systems ensured the datasets
were compatible, allowing the development of a highly accurate
topographic model from which 2' contour information was developed.
