Planimetric and Topographic Mapping
Our typical mapping projects include both topographic and planimetric mapping as completely deliverable. Planimetric mapping refers to features that are visible in the photo such as houses, roads, fire hydrants, manholes, etc. Topographic mapping refers to the elevation, breaklines, grid points that can be compiled photgrammetrically to create a surface or contours.
Planimetric Mapping Only
UTEK Aerial can provide mapping of planimetric features as a product if contour or DTM data is not needed.
Topographic Only
Topographic mapping can also be provided as a separate task if planimetric data is not needed. UTEK Aerial will also provide the following in a standard deliverable format if the client wants to generate their own contours or DTM.
- Breaks (Point File) – ascii file of Breakline points
- Spot Elevations (Point File) - ascii file of Spot Elevations points
- Grid Points (Point File) - ascii file of Grid Elevations points
Scales
UTEK Aerial can provide mapping at a variety of scales depending on the clients needs. We suggest each client conduct a need assessment to determine what product will be better suited for each specific project. The accuracy associated with and according to National Map Accuracy Standards for each of the products is ½ of the contour interval and 1/40,000 of the map scale.
- ½’ Contour or less: Often flown with a Helicopter for DOT projects ½’ Contour 1" = 20' Typically done for highly detailed/highly accurate mapping projects. The most common photo ratio is 1:2000 (Negative scale – 1” = 167’) or a flying height of 1000’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft
- 1' Contour 1" = 30': Typically done for highly detailed/highly accurate mapping projects. The most common photo ratio is 1:3000 (Negative scale – 1” = 250’) or a flying height of 1500’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft
- 1' Contours 1" = 40': Our most common product. The most common photo ratio is 1:3600 (Negative scale – 1” = 300’) or a flying height of 1800’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft
- 1' Contours 1" = 50': For this product we would suggest using a photo ratio of 1:3600 (Negative scale – 1” = 300’) or a flying height of 1800’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft. This will produce a product which will definitely surpass National Map Accuracy Standards as well as be very cost efficient.
- 2' Contours 1" = 50': This product will have a little less detail and accuracy than a 1’ contour product but can still be used for many design projects. Also, we will be able to collect fewer features as the flying height increases. The most common photo ratio is 1:4800 (Negative scale – 1” = 400’) or a flying height of 2400’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft
- 2' Contours 1" = 100': The most common photo ratio is 1:7200 (Negative scale – 1” = 600’) or a flying height of 3600’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft. This is the most common scale for a 2’ contour mapping project.
- 5' contours 1" = 200': The most common photo ratio is 1:14400 (Negative scale – 1” = 1200’) or a flying height of 7200’ above the ground in a fixed wing aircraft. This scale is best suited for planning purposes as the accuracy is much less than other scales
- Other Scales may be used depending on the project area.
Metric Mapping Available: As a way to service our international clients, UTEK Aerial Surveys Co. can provide mapping in metric scales as well. Metric mapping will often be used depending on the locality of the project as well as the end user of the compiled data.
Deliverables
UTEK Aerial is a customer service focused business and prides ourselves in being able to meet all of our clients needs. Therefore we will strive to deliver any completed project as file type that our clients prefer: Most common deliverables are:
- AutoCAD
- Microstation
- ESRI Shapefiles
- ESRI Personal Geodatabases
Aerial Cartography
Our expert Cartography department combines and edits the compiled digital mapping data. They break the project down into necessary sheet sizes and perform final quality control checks. Once a project has been edited it is translated into the client's specified format. All of our data and imagery, unless otherwise stated, is delivered on CD-ROM. Our high-quality plotters allow us to produce hard copies of the imagery as well, either on high-quality photo paper or Mylar film.
Digital Imaging
All of our imagery is currently processed using our dual processor, over-clocked imaging computers each of which handle massive amounts of data and calculations. Our present software has batch processing and automatic terrain correction capabilities. This allows us to set up multiple flight lines or a large amount of images and run processing over night. We average two computers per operator to maximize image production. With our present demand for digital imaging services and our future growth expectations, we will continue advancing our capabilities.
Products
- High Resolution Color Ortho - Imagery from Mapping flight: Imagery from the mapping flight will typically have a much better picture resolution so that accuracy for the mapping project can be met depending on the scale. Using High Resolution images may be cumbersome for many users as these images may be large files and difficult to run in many programs. High Resolution Color Imagery will not be recommended for larger projects.
- Low Resolution Color Ortho - Imagery from Higher flight: This imagery works best for large projects that require Color images because it will reduce the number images to rectify. Mapping flights are typically flown in B/W but we can fly an additional flight at a higher altitude in color for imaging. The pixel resolution will be less then the mapping flight but there may be a bit of a cost savings because the number of photo’s to rectify will be reduced.
- High Resolution B/W Ortho - Imagery from Mapping Flight: If Color imagery is not needed, B/W imagery can be rectified from the mapping flight. This is great for smaller projects where there are fewer images to rectify
- Low Resolution B/W Ortho - Imagery from Higher flight: If the project area is very large and color imagery is not needed, we would recommend flying an additional flight line at a higher altitude for imagery to be rectified. This will reduce the number of photo’s that will need to be rectified therefore reducing the cost. Also, the image files will not be as large as the files from the low mapping flight and they are not in color making the images easier to use.
- GeoRectified Imagery - does not use DTM for rectification: GeoRectification is a simple solution to have imagery registered to a coordinate system by correlating the image to an existing image that is already rectified. This product may not be as accurate as an Ortho-Rectification do to the fact that it will not take the DTM into consideration during the rectification process.
Image Processing
The automatic batch processing is the key to our softcopy image rectification process. We will have the ability to stage multiple images using softcopy control data then execute our volume processing overnight and unmanned. After processing, this data will be checked for accuracy and anomalies before translating into the user defined final format. We presently have the ability to process over 300 images per month, which is more than adequate for most any project.
Common Imagery deliverable formats:
Remote Sensing
ADS40, DMC, and Vexcel sensors are available to us for producing true 6”, 12 bit, 4-band multi-spectral data (red, green, blue, and near infrared) with a quick turnaround time. All of these systems allow us to produce corrected, geo-referenced, and radiometrically enhanced imagery. These systems are mounted in a plane with airborne GPS to tie in real world coordinates and a gyro-mount for vertical stabilization. With our additional post processing, this data can be rectified to controlled ground data for horizontal accuracy needs and used to create thematic classifications, all of which is GIS ready.
DEM Collection
UTEK Aerial has extensive experience using Softcopy photogrammetry for DEM extraction. UTEK Aerial runs a full softcopy production service which has proven to be a very useful tool for ortho-generation and DTM production. Softcopy automatic terrain extraction would be the fastest and least expensive way to acquire DEM data. With our custom imaging computers we have processing power that would allow us to set up and execute multiple flight lines and extract miles of DEM data overnight. Every mile of this data is checked and corrected to ensure the data is best depicting ground features. Interactive terrain editing is a crucial step in defining break detail. It is important to note that DEM creation sets the pace for the remaining processing schedule.