Utilizing the RIEGL VQ-840-GL for UAV-based datasets of Coastal Erosion
Black Beach Scripps Topobathy Survey with RIEGL VQ-840-GL integrated onto a Harris Aerial Drone Platform
Whiteout Solutions is a geospatial technology company based in northeastern Vermont. Their main mission is to increase the availability of high-resolution geospatial data and maximize its usage through web-based data delivery and analysis. With the addition of the RIEGL VQ-840-GL topo-bathymetric system, they are now able to document the topological changes and impacts related to extreme weather events on coastal areas and inland waters.
After conducting a series of pilot projects to evaluate the ability for UAS LiDAR to detect microtopographies of sensitive coastal marshland, Whiteout Solutions was contracted by Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to survey all the protected coastal marshlands in the state. The data was to be used as a baseline high-resolution dataset to evaluate elevation change due to coastal erosion and other impacts of climate change over time.
Through their analysis of the pilot data, Whiteout Solutions identified a clear gap in the picture, they knew the details of the vegetation species, elevations of sediment restoration plots, marsh access areas but all the data stopped at the tidal creeks and channels. Every dataset left off everything at the water surface, and while it was possible to survey during low tides, there were still gaps in the low-lying channels and they needed topo- bathymetric data.
The clear solution was RIEGL’s VQ-840-GL topo-bathymetric LiDAR scanner that was light enough to mount on a heavy-lift UAS platform and still provide significant “up” time while on site. Whiteout Solutions took possession of the system in the summer of 2023, and in the proceeding months it was used to collect over 14,000 acres of marshland and upland buffer in Connecticut. As a result, it has produced one of the largest high resolution (200ppsm) topo-bathymetry datasets to date. The project data will be critical for monitoring sea level rise, designing and implementing climate change resiliency projects and more.
“We are very fortunate to have the ability to offer the VQ-840-GL system to our partners as a tool that can collect high resolution topo-bathymetry data of environments that are seeing the first order effects of climate change, specifically on our coastlines and river corridors where we’re seeing increased flooding on a daily basis.” – said Matt Clark, Co-Founder of Whiteout Solutions. “From our perspective, the more people that have and can work with geospatial data, the more likely we are to create lasting solutions that protect us against the impacts of climate change. We’re here to democratize access to geospatial data.”
Top: Topobathy Survey of the Los Angeles River with RIEGL VQ-840-GL integrated onto a Harris Aerial Drone Platform
With topobathymetric LiDAR becoming a critical part to understanding the impacts of climate change, Whiteout Solutions has made it a priority to ensure its partners can continue to get value out of their data product, and RIEGL LiDAR is ensuring they provide the best deliverables possible.
”Whiteout Solutions is an innovative small business that has really opened our eyes to what is possible when using compact topo-bathymetric LiDAR solutions to map and better understand the changes that are happening below the water’s surface at a micro-scale and with high-resolution”, said Michael Sitar, RIEGL USA’s Airborne Division Manager. “We look forward to supporting Whiteout as they map and explore new applications in this critically important environment.”
Left: Data collected with RIEGL VQ-840-GL for the Johnson Mills dam removal.
Right: Data collected with RIEGL VQ-840-GL for the Shorehaven Inlet
Top: Data collected with RIEGL VQ-840-GL for the Lyndon floodplain
Bottom: Terrain map of the Lyndon floodplain point cloud
About RIEGL:
RIEGL is an international leading provider of cutting-edge technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions for applications in surveying.
RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for over 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.
RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.
RIEGL’s Ultimate LiDARTM 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing Innovation in 3D for the LiDAR industry.
From the first inquiry, to purchase and integration of the system, as well as training and support, RIEGL maintains an outstanding history of reliability and support to their customers.
Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria and in the USA; main offices in, Japan, China, Australia, Canada and the UK; and a worldwide network of representatives.
About Whiteout Solutions and Future Environmental Impacts
Whiteout Solutions prides itself on delivering high quality, high resolution and high accuracy data to meet or exceed our partners expectations. One of the many benefits of UAS topobathy is our ability to conduct more target surveys, meaning your projects are completed quicker than traditional survey methods. Contact us today to setup a call to learn more.
In continued efforts to ensure more people have access to critical environmental data, Whiteout Solutions has built GeoSAP, a web based geospatial data delivery application. The goal of GeoSAP is to solve geospatial big data problem, making it easy for data creators to deliver terrabytes of data to a customer while also giving them a means to view, analyze and share it. To see some sample project data and learn more about Whiteout Solution’s services and GeoSAP, scan the QR code below or go to WhiteoutSolutions.com.
