Happy National Surveyors Week!

National Surveyors Week, beginning the third Sunday of March, is celebrated each year to highlight the contributions surveyors make to society.  Whether through traditional surveying, photogrammetry, LiDAR, geodesy, or hydrographic surveying, the profession plays a substantial role in defining the characteristics of our constantly evolving environment.

Thank you to all the surveyors who came before us!

Cheers!
Stephen

Michael Baker Jr. survey crew stops for a photograph along US Highway 19 in Florida (specific location unknown), circa 1943.

We're on Instagram

The Mobile LiDAR team is now on Instagram! The crews are going to upload pictures to show off some of their travels.  The first few pictures (and a movie) are posted, but now that the wraps are completed and unveiled, there will be more forthcoming.

Cheers!
Stephen

PS:  Although I'm not pictured, I was on the boat... 

We are proud to introduce the 2015 Mobile LiDAR SG1. The vehicle was deployed out last week with multiple projects scheduled. Coming to Roads Near You! #MappingtheNationsInfrastructure #MobileLiDAR #MobileMapping #MobileSurveying #mapping #surveying #landsurveying #surveylife #realsurveyors #surveyors #GPS #GIS #geomatics #lasers #topography #transportation #engineering #2015 #WeMakeADifference #MBI #MichaelBakerInternational

A photo posted by Michael Baker International (@mobilelidar) on Mar 6, 2015 at 12:18pm PST

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.

In the Press

Pittsburgh, PA – Optech and Michael Baker International are pleased to announce that they have signed an agreement for the delivery of two new Lynx SG1 Mobile Mapper™ Systems, the latest model of Optech’s industry-leading line of Mobile LiDAR solutions. The purchase completes an upgrade for Michael Baker International’s existing Lynx system to the SG1 specification, equipping the firm with two of the most powerful mobile mapping systems in the world. The first of the new Lynx SG1 systems is scheduled for immediate delivery to Michael Baker International.

The latest in Optech’s line of mobile mappers, the Lynx SG1 collects ultra-dense 3D data with survey-grade accuracy from a vehicle travelling at cruising speeds, along with co-aligned camera imagery. With Optech’s Lynx SG1 systems, Michael Baker International will remain at the forefront of the engineering profession and will expand its national business by efficiently accomplishing high accuracy engineering surveys and asset mapping for managing highways, runways and other
infrastructure. Michael Baker International will also utilize the technology in support of MAP-21 program objectives for the Department of Transportation by using Mobile LiDAR systems to gather data necessary to achieve highway performance goals for safety, infrastructure condition, and sustainability.

“We are excited to enhance and expand our core capabilities with the new Lynx SG1 Mobile Mapper™ systems,” said Robert Hanson, Michael Baker International’s National Practice Lead – Geospatial Information Technologies (GIT). “We were amongst the first innovators in the use of Optech mobile mapping technology with our system acquired five years ago. The high quality Mobile LiDAR work that is produced by our in-house team of experts has earned a strong reputation. Our registered quality programs have achieved ISO 9001:2008 – ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2008 certificates for both Design and Provision of Professional Engineering and Consulting Services for Mobile LiDAR Field Collection, and for LiDAR Data Processing. At Michael Baker International, we understand the engineer’s needs and a project’s demands, so we are able to make a big difference in our clients’ expectations for the products and services we deliver.”

“The Optech Lynx has been powering Michael Baker International’s mobile mapping and surveying endeavors for some time now, and we are happy to expand their capabilities with the latest model of Lynx,” said Albert Iavarone, Business Unit Manager at Optech. “We are very happy that after examining the various options available to them, Michael Baker International once again decided that the Lynx SG1 was the best fit for their demanding projects. Optech is committed to ensuring that our clients get the best possible value out of their investment, which is why we are also modifying their existing Lynx system to the SG1 model. This upgrade will keep their existing surveying tools at the forefront of the industry for some time to come.”

About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International, LLC is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services which includes planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. Baker provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients. With over $1 billion in annual revenue, Michael Baker International has more than 5,000 employees in over 90 offices located across the U.S. and internationally, and is ranked as the 26th largest design firm in the U.S. by McGraw Hill’s Engineering News-Record. To learn more about Michael Baker International visit: www.mbakerintl.com

About Optech
Optech is the world leader in high-accuracy LiDAR 3D survey systems, integrated cameras, and productivity-enhancing workflows. With operations and staff worldwide, Optech offers both standalone and fully integrated LiDAR and camera solutions in airborne mapping, airborne LiDAR bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors. Accuracy and productivity matter!

Mobile LiDAR and Flood Impact Studies

The Mobile LiDAR vehicle trajectories (shown in red) are
displayed with the 1979 Easter Flood boundary (in blue).

I arrived this morning to the latest issue of LiDAR News magazine sitting on my desk.  I am proud to have been a contributing writer for more than three years now - although lately my commitments do not afford me as much time to write as I once did for both the magazine and this blog.  However, Gene Roe, managing editor and co-founder of LiDAR News, does wrestle an article from me from time to time.

My latest article, Mobile LiDAR and Flood Impact Studies, details work we performed in the Jackson, MS metropolitan area to extract approximately 12,000 first floor elevations and other data to support the work of several partner organizations and stakeholders.  The project, completed over a period of approximately four months, required collection of over 700 miles of Mobile LiDAR data, survey ground control and aerial LiDAR validation.

Entire subdivisions are quickly captured with Mobile LiDAR data alleviating the need for entry onto private property to gain information.  Outreach was performed via news and print media prior to collections.

Several of our staff live within the boundary of the project.  Therefore, we had a more personal connection with the project and its successful completion than is experienced with a typical roadway design type application.  We were working with information pertaining to our homes and property.

Cheers!
Stephen