Picture of the Week

One project includes over 4.3 million pictures and
consumes more than 13 TB of disk space.

Michael Baker utilizes Orbit GT software to deliver Mobile LiDAR point cloud data and imagery to each of our clients. Our use of Orbit is highlighted in our As Seen on TV post from last September. Typically, one of the first steps in our processing workflow is to extract the spherical imagery and publish through our online portal.

We have numerous projects served up through our BEAST platform and encompasses tens of millions of pictures. These images provide a means for processing, data validation and visualization.

Orbit Publisher provides a framework for serving content to our clients without their requirement of having infrastructure to support Big Data.

The map image shows all of the collected routes in blue.  The images at right show 3 different panoramic images captured.

Cheers!
Stephen

Follow our UAS Colleagues on Instagram

The Michael Baker International Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) team is now on Instagram!  Our flight operations teams are going to post pictures to show off some of our work.

Multiple operators for safe flight operations. #michaelbakerinternational #uas

A photo posted by Michael Baker Intl UAS (@michaelbakeruas) on Dec 27, 2016 at 1:52pm PST

Picture of the Week: Orbit RGB Point Cloud

A couple months ago we discussed how we served LiDAR data in Orbit GT through the Baker Enterprise Architecture for Spatial Technology (BEAST).  Below are some images of how we are using RGB colorization in Orbit.  The colorization of the point cloud has evolved from using two cameras with our first Optech Lynx v200 system to the integration of the LadyBug spherical camera - revisit our post from 2010 called Coloring the Cloud.

The RGB colorized point cloud is seamlessly integrated with the LadyBug panoramic imagery after calibrating in Optech's LiDAR Mapping Suite (LMS) software.

Escaping the view using the panoramic imagery, the user can work directly with the colorized point cloud.

The blue points represent camera exposures that the technician can "step into" for feature extraction and review of the panoramic imagery.

Cheers!
Stephen

Throw Back Thursday

A recent article from POB quoting our very own Bob Hanson on "Tips for Managing Big Geospatial Data" got me thinking about an old post mentioning Zettabytes.  The article written more than 6 years ago (long before we had 4 SG1 systems on the road) talks about the volume of data collected.  Bob's reference to the size of data we collect today was not in our comprehension back then.

For Throw Back Thursday, I offer a picture of Michael Baker's first computer.  (Mr. Baker is the gentleman with the striped suit.)  I don't know the specifics of the computer pictured, but I doubt Mr. Baker could have ever envisioned the volume of data we're working with today.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

My friends and coworkers know that when I travel with my family, I prefer to drive rather than fly.  It’s not that my wife doesn’t know how to pack/dress to go through security smoothly.  It’s because I love to see new places and stop at roadside attractions.  We ultimately endeavor to visit all 50 states together.

A trip last week to Traverse City, MI for the MAPPS Summer conference afforded the opportunity to put more miles on the family car.  While I don’t necessarily route our trajectory through past Mobile LiDAR projects, we almost always hit one or two along the way.  Although many of the projects have long been collected, processed and delivered, the remnants (targets) are still visible – every 500’ – 1,000’.  

The white chevron target of a past Michael Baker Mobile LiDAR project is visible in the shoulder. 

The spacing of Mobile LiDAR targets makes them easy to spot - add a painted number and the marking's purpose is undeniable.  The most rewarding part is not the evidence of targets, but new travel lanes, resurfaced road or other infrastructure improvements which were the basis of our work.

Cheers!
Stephen

Pictures of the Week

Recently, we had the pleasure of performing a unique elevated rail collection.  To capture the rail corridor, our system was installed on the clients' Hi-Rail equipped Kubota side-by-side.

The Kubota provided an ideal platform to perform the collection.  The beautiful, clear blue skies yielded exceptional photographs - which were delivered in an online Orbit publication.

Above, the operator monitors the collection, examining real-time imagery, point cloud data and positional metrics. The driver had it easy with no traffic or steering to contend with.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week: Phoenix Rising

After almost 6 years of service (and new transmission), our Suburban has found new life, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.  It looks like a brand new vehicle with the original wrap removed and new wrap installed.  Our fleet is going to continue to sport matching red, white and blue designs. Now, all it needs is a system installed.

Cheers!
Stephen

Pictures of the Week

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the Open House of Michael Baker International's new office location in Dallas, TX.  Thankfully, the weather cooperated and we were able to show off one of our systems.

Pictured (from left to right) are Michael Baker International employees Cooper Liebau, June Garcia, Rocky Armendariz and Gene Valentine.

Also in attendance and inspecting the system, were our Chief Operating Officer Jeff Hill (right) and Senior Vice President/Gulf Coast Region Director Bill Macon (left).  

Although our Mobile LiDAR team and equipment may reside in only a handful of offices across our organization, we are all one Michael Baker International.  We welcome the opportunity to come out in support of our colleagues elsewhere.

Cheers!

Stephen

Picture(s) of the Week

I was waiting to post this, but it's making the rounds on other social media sites and within Michael Baker International.  Also, there can't be a better day than our 75th Anniversary Celebration to show this off!

With the acquisition of another Mobile LiDAR system, we have deployed our combined approach to Mapping the Nation's Infrastructure.  The vehicle utilizes the Optech Lynx SG1 Mobile LiDAR system, Pavemetrics Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS) and GSSI RoadScan Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems for a combined approach.

Another modification includes the mounting of 3 of the Lynx 5-mega pixel cameras forward of the systems to capture forward facing frame imagery - while also deploying the Ladybug 5 spherical camera.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week - New Mobile LiDAR Vehicles

It has been five and a half years since we unveiled our original system in the first Mobile LiDAR blog posting. The Suburban has served us well for these years, but with deploying the our newly acquired Optech Lynx SG1 systems it was time for something new.

After looking at numerous vehicles and consideration of the years of deployment, we decided to go with Nissan NV2500's.  The large flat roof provides a similar mounting height as our Suburban (with wing), but a much larger interior for our crew's comfort when traveling around the country on assignment.

Michael Baker International's new Mobile LiDAR vehicles.  

The interior build out includes cabinets and working area for our crew. There is plenty of room for all of the supporting equipment, luggage and some of the luxuries the crew brings with them on the road.

Cheers!
Stephen

Note:  The Nissan NV2500 is manufactured in Canton, MS - 3 exits north of our Ridgeland, MS operation along Interstate 55.

Picture of the Week - Levee Collection

Last weekend while in Sacramento, our crew performed a collection of a levee.  Having been along the southern California coastline just days earlier, they were not enjoying the 108 degree temperatures.  The hot, dry weather obviously had an impact on the grass along the levee.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

Recently, we completed another rail collect in New England.  The collection encompassed approximately 55 miles of commuter rail corridor and was performed over the span of two nights (midnight to 5 am).

Baker's Mobile LiDAR equipment is installed on a hi-rail vehicle - the same utilized during the Keystone Corridor project.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

The crew is enjoying a trip to the west coast.  This morning was spent at our Carlsbad, CA office of RBF Consulting.

Although we are experiencing more moderate fall weather in central Mississippi, it pales in comparison to southern California.  They might never want to come home.

Have a good weekend!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

Earlier this month, Jackson, MS was supposed to play host to the Navy's Blue Angels at the 50th Anniversary Airshow. However, the show was cancelled due to sequestration cuts.  I was really looking forward to it as a good friend of mine is a local Navy recruiter and promised I could sit in the cockpit - I would play Maverick to his Goose.

Continuing with a Navy theme for the second week in a row, I submit our Pictures of the Week. Cue the Kenny Loggins music...

Posing with a retired Blue Angel.

A point cloud displayed by intensity values.

A point cloud colorized from on-board cameras.

Cheers!

Stephen

Picture of the Week

The picture of the week kicks off the Memorial Day weekend with a unique perspective of our men and women in uniform.  Often people in our scans are moving, which causes distorted profiles when viewing data collected from both sensors.  These sailors were standing patiently, waiting to enter the mess hall.  It's easy to see which sailors were standing motionless.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day!

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

About three years ago, we held a Name that Car Contest.  The objective was to identify the make and model of vehicles captured by our Mobile LiDAR unit utilizing only the point cloud colored by intensity.  Now, we have a point cloud of our system courtesy of a few static scans.  There is no mistaking this vehicle.

I have linked to the results of the Name that Car Contest for your convenience.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

The image I posted two weeks ago created some good natured discussion regarding allegiances.  As Baker is based in Pennsylvania, I work with a lot of people who do not share my rabid devotion to a certain SEC University.  In order to appease my colleagues to the north, I quickly pulled together some publicly available Aerial LiDAR data and imagery.  Below is a colorized point cloud of the PSU campus. With the PAMAP program, there are great datasets available.

Have a good weekend.

Cheers!
Stephen

Picture of the Week

Although my alma mater, the University of Florida, has a bye week, I thought I'd share the Mobile LiDAR picture of the week.  I've had this for some time, but in the spirit of college football season, here it is...

Go Gators!
Stephen