Research
     

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Unmanned aircraft systems allow for high resolution remote sensing for various applications. We are experimenting with DSLR, infrared and multi-spectral cameras for data capture. From these images we can create 3D models and conduct vegetation analysis. These systems have high potential for precision agriculture, archaeology, geology and land use change.

   

Snow Avalanches and Mass Movements

Simulating snow avalanche flow with numerical models and digital elevation model (DEM) data has allowed snow scientists to better understand flow movement in complex terrain. In collaboration with a team of researchers, we are building a prototype from gaming technology to simulate avalanche flow with an OpenGL particle physics based emulation. We are planning to adapt this model for other types of mass movements including rockfall and landslides.
   

LiDAR, SfM & Photogrammetry

We have utilized three strategies to construct 3D models: stereo photogrammetry from aerial photography, image-based 3D reconstruction from overlapping photographs (SfM) and terrestrial laser scanning (LiDAR, Laser Imaging Detecting And Ranging). The result is three high resolution 3D models that have been utilized to calculate volumetric and areal changes over time using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The objective is to determine the ideal combination of methodologies to ensure accurate long-term monitoring.
LiDAR LiDAR LiDAR LiDAR
   

Landscape Change

Examining how vegetation, urban areas and terrain vary over time provides insight into how anthropogenic/cultural/historical factors have changed our landscape. For this particular research project we are examining the vulnerability of cultural/historical resources to current invasive vegetation distribution and predicted vegetation extent based upon climate change dynamics.

 Landscape Changes