High-definition surveying
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
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For the Myakka River Bridge pursuit, Atkins
scanned and photographed the bridge using a
Leica C10 laser scanner.
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.
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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.
1 | High-definition surveying
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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
High-definition surveying | 2
Bridging the digital divide
An Atkins geomaticist takes precise
measurements using the HDS ScanStation C10 on
I-75, looking southbound near Atlanta, Georgia.
Clients
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Construction companies
Federal and state agencies
Planners
Structural engineers
Toll authorities
Transportation engineers
Benefits
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.
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.
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Accurate
Economic
Fast
Integrated
Level of detail
Non-intrusive
Proven
Safe
Visual
Typical deliverables:
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.
3 | High-definition surveying
• 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
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, costeffective 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), lowaltitude mapping photography, or traditional surveying methods.
High-definition surveying | 4
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.
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.
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.
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5 | High-definition surveying
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 laserscanned point clouds of buildings, structures, urban areas, and
archeological sites.
Clients
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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
High-definition surveying | 6
Leica ScanStation C10, the new scanner in town
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
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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
Cost benefits of using HDS
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
Conventional survey approach: 10-acre boundary and survey
HDS survey approach: 10-acre boundary and survey
Task
PSM
2-person
crew
Survey
technician
CAD
technician
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.
Total
hours
Task
PSM
4-person
crew
CAD
technician
Total
hours
2
2
Preparation
Establish control
8
8
Establish control
8
8
Locate terrain
features with HDS
(10 acres daily)
8
8
Conventionally locate
terrain features
(2.5 acres daily)
40
40
Preparation
1
1
1
Survey
technician
1
Storm and sanitary
sewer location
1
4
5
Storm and sanitary
sewer location
1
4
5
Property corner
recovery and location
6
8
14
Property corner
recovery and location
6
8
14
Processing
10
CAD
8
Boundary resolution
and research
10
Quality assurance/
quality control
2
1
10
Processing
10
40
48
CAD
8
4
14
Boundary resolution
and research
10
2
5
Quality assurance/
quality control
2
1
10
8
16
4
14
2
5
114
Unit total
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28
20
46
114
Unit total
20
60
20
14
Unit cost
$125
$120
$95
$45
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Unit cost
$125
$185
$95
$45
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Total cost
$2,500
$3,360
$1,900
$2,070
$9,830
Total cost
$2,500
$11,100
$1,900
$630
$16,130
Unprecedented versatility
• Uses targets, traverse, resection, or free-station
registration and “geo-referencing” methods as
site logistics
• Self-contained unit
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Total cost savings:
$6,300 (39%)
High-definition surveying | 8
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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High-definition surveying | 10
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10151 | PL | 12
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