Practical use of geokosmos real-time cartography technologies based on Optech's airborne laser terrain mapping system

Dr. Evgeny Medvedev
Dr. Evgeny Medvedev
Email: evgeniy_medvedev@geokosmos.ru
Geokosmos, Moscow, Russia
Telephone number: +7(095)959-4080
Fax number: +7(095)959-4093
Website:www.geokosmos.ru

Daina Vagners
Daina Vagners
Email: dainav@optech.on.ca
Optech Inc., Toronto, ON
Canada
Telephone number: +1(416)661-5904
Fax number: +1(416)661-4168
Website:www.optech.on.ca



Abstract
Optech, Inc. is a manufacturer of an airborne laser instrument called an Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper (ALTM). This hardware system is non-obtrusive way to acquire very detailed elevation data for survey purposes.

Using Optech's ALTM is an essential part of Geokosmos "real time mapping” technology ". This year Geokosmos has carried out more than 1000 hours of aerial survey missions with the ALTM 2050 system all over the territory of the Russian Federation. A huge amount of data has been collected and processed. Geokosmos has hired skilled and experienced specialists who are confident in all aspects of the laser scanning method - on-board operating, on-field geodetic support, and survey data processing. Among the many clients of Geokosmos there are a few main ones such as gas exploration monopoly "Gasprom" and a leading power engineering company RAO EES. The main applications of Geokosmos activities are topography, land use and engineering inspections.

The company has created the complete technology of its own for "real time mapping" based on laser scanning with ALTM. The technology comprises of a set of auxiliary aerial survey tools (digital aerial cameras, GPS and GLONASS receivers, data recorders, mounting system and so on), ALTEXIS software and methodology. The main reason is the highest increase of productivity of all technological stages of topography map making. As a result the complete topography map of a 1:2000 scale for the territory offew thousand square miles can be done with such a technology within a two-week period. For example Geokosmos has made more than 50000 square km of large scale mapping this season. Geokosmos exposes its real time mapping technology for sale.

Power lines inspection with ALTM laser scanning is one of the core lines of the company activity. The technology proposed by Geokosmos is already the national standard in Russia. More than 35000 km of high-voltage power lines are to be surveyed with this method in Russia for the next three years under the national program of privatization of the power engineering industry.