INTRODUCTION TO Accelerating Data Collection with Unmanned Aircraft Systems Kyle Kukuk Terry Pallotto MWCC Enviromental Conference July 10-12, 2016
Who is Here? Kyle Kukuk, PE Project Manager Blackstone Environmental Terry Pallotto, PE Operations Manager Tukuh Technologies, LLC
Organization Tribally-owned 8(a) Small Business Owned by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of Northern CA National company based in Kansas City, MO Technology Services Offered Geospatial solutions: GIS services, aerial mapping, survey Managed IT and application development Staff augmentation
UAV Mapping
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Basics    Known as UAS Four components: Aircraft Sensor Payload Ground Control Station Operator Highly accurate geospatial data Faster mobilization and acquisition times Lower cost Lower risk
UAS Platforms Fixed-wing UAS Orthophoto Creation Digital Surface Modeling 3D Visualization Remote Sensing (NDVI, NIR Camera) Multi-Rotor UAS Real-time Video Inspections Video Presentations Oblique Photography Inspections Thermal Imaging
Data Acquistion
Image Processing and Photogrammetry
The Process } Models Simulations Videos Maps XYZ Data Collection Other Data Sets Processing Geospatial-Based Products
Expected Accuracy  Meets or exceeds conventional photogrammetry GSD down to 1.5 cm Relative 3D model accuracy 1 to 3x GSD Absolute horizontal/vertical accuracy to 3 to 5 cm
Typical Deliverables 760 0 76 0 F G 74 0 0 750 73 0 760 730 830 800 0 800 790 730 0 73 0 74 0 F G 790 830 0 840 780 0 0 810 840 82 0 0 80 77 790 820 79 730 73 750 780 720 0 80 780 73 0 73 0 750 7 F G 850 740 0 770 740 73 F G 720 73 730 0 84 0 73 740 720 780 83 850 730 740 800 80 750 800 76 730 760 81 820 830 0 740 810 F G 790 770 780 830 F G 0 F G 840 800 F G 83 750 75 730 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
830 810 Typical Deliverables 800 840 830 820 840 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
Benefits for Solid Waste Industry  Digital Mapping Survey-grade Dense point clouds High-resolution Imagery  Traditional deliverables Orthomosaics Planimetrics Digital surface and terrain models Contours 3D TIN models
Relative Costs   Acquisition costs as much as 50% less than conventional aircraft UAS less to buy & maintain  UAS less to hire than pilots/camera operators  Multiple Aircraft may be used in tandem  Mobilized quickly
Controlling Costs Comparison of UAS vs. Conventional Aerial Acquisition $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $- $25,820 $20,487 $16,338 $15,876 $16,184 $8,400 $9,900 $5,200 Mine Reclamation Site Landfill Mine Reclamation Site 4 Mine Reclamation Sites UAV Conventional
FAA Section 333 Exemption  Awarded in June 2015  Safety first/risk mitigation Professional pilots, not hobbyists  Tukuh s differentiators Licensed pilots 2+ years R&D Best practices and SOP
The Rules are Changing Current Rules Require a licensed pilot No flights over persons not directly involved in the operation. Proposed Rule Changes FAA airman certification (currently hotly debated) 1. In-person knowledge test and TSA background check 2. Online knowledge test and no background check Four new categories defined by level of risk of injury for operations over people 1. Cat 1: < ½ lbs No restrictions 2. Cat 2: < 5 lbs must stay at least 20 ft above and 10 ft lateral to people (Joules 2-4), 3. Cat 3: < 55 lbs No flights over crowds except those who are transient or incidental to the operation 4. Cat 4: Same as 3 except flights over crowds allowed with risk mitigation plan coordinated with local stakeholders
Risk Factors
Qualified Personnel
Meteorological Conditions
Project Examples
Projects Flown and Mapped
Black Oak Landfill near Hartville, MO Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours
Bondad Landfill, near Durango, CO Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours
Prairie View Landfill near Lamar, MO Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours
Johnson County Landfill, KS Design Topo As-Built Topo
Cherokee County OU-4 Superfund Site near Treece, Kansas Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours
MO Highway V Site near Foster, MO Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 2 Contours Planimetrics
St Joe Landfill
St Joe Landfill Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours Airspace Calculations
MDNR Biennial Airspace Estimates Airspace filled in last 2 years. Total airspace filled to date. Remaining airspace Show waste extents Provide MDNR with updated topo
High Definition Aerial Imagery Created from over 500 individual photos 5 flight lifts used
3-D Point Cloud
Topographic Contour Map 1-ft contours Contour map provided to MDNR in submittal
3-D Surface Modal
Airspace Used
Remaining Airspace
Other Uses for UAV Surveys at Landfills Stockpile / borrow pit analysis Liner surveys Final cover surveys Waste density / compaction estimates Tracking vegetation growth Assessing pond berms, dikes, and outfalls Inspection and monitoring of hard-to-reach landfill areas Thermographic (I/R) survey to monitor surface temperature
Additional Examples
Turkey Creek Flood Control 4k video flown with the DJI Inspire. Image stabilization Geospatially accurate features composited into video
Our Portfolio Fort Leavenworth Bldg 52/102 Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 2 Contours 3D Modeling Aerial Obliques Orthoplane Photos
Our Portfolio KCP&L Substation, Weston, MO Aerial Orthophotography 1.5 GSD Topographical Mapping Dense Point Cloud 3D TIN Model 1 Contours 200 Scale Planimetrics
QUESTIONS? Want to talk some more offline? Terrence Pallotto, PE Operations Manager, Tukuh 816-500-5082 Terry.Pallotto@Tukuh.com Kyle Kukuk, PE Project Manager, Blackstone Environmental (913) 956-6223 kkukuk@blackstone-env.com