3D surface features and underground pipeline data

With the combined technologies of Geospatial’s Smart Probe Pipeline Mapping Technologies and Topcon’s IP-S2, 3D above ground mobile mapping system, municipalities, engineers, pipeline operators and utilities are capable of gathering and managing 3D geo-referenced surface features, along with 3D underground pipeline data. Geospatial utilizes proprietary technologies to economically locate and create accurate 3D maps of underground pipelines and conduits.

Topcon’s IP-S2 3D mobile mapping system travels the pipeline or utility corridor above-ground at speeds up to 65 miles per hour. The cost savings over traditional ground-based data collection methodologies is exponential. Safety is greatly improved by removing personnel from vehicular traffic areas.

The IP-S2’s three laser scanners and a digital video camera system capture high-accuracy x-y-z point clouds and 360-degree spherical imagery. Topcon’s advanced software enables the simultaneous viewing of images and point clouds, enabling the system operator to accurately visualize and assess all terrestrial features along the corridor. Existing GIS feature and attribute sets can be imported, used to position collected features, and then exported back to the system’s geodatabase.

By combining underground pipe data from Geospatial’s Smart Probes with the above-ground mapping from Topcon’s IP-S2 system, operators now have a complete 3D, geospatially-referenced view of all essential information. Smart Probe Pipeline Mapping Technologies and the IP-S2, 3D systems are marketed jointly by the two companies.

Richard Rybka, Topcon’s IP-S2 product specialist, said, “The strategic alliance between our two companies was created to solve many of the problems that plague underground projects today. Using our technologies, system owners and operators can quickly and cost-effectively acquire the accurate data they need. The result is more efficient operations, safety and precise planning.”