DTS’ Mobile Asset Data Collection (MAC) vehicles are not just for pavement inventories and inspections. The DTS fleet is built with identical and redundant systems that collect an enormous amount of data in a single pass. In any given week, each DTS MAC vehicle collects an average of 1 TB of data. This data consists of:

• High definition continuous pavement images
• Forward and rear-facing high-resolution right-of-way digital imagery with sub-meter locational accuracy
• Inertial measuring unit (IMU) with centimeter-level positioning of MAC vehicle during collection
• Distance measuring instrument (DMI) used for system integration
• GPS equipment consisting of two positional units and one differential unit for mapping level positioning of the vehicle, heading information, and positional tagging of images
• Surface (road) profiler for precise pavement ride and rut measurements
• On board servers for storing data, processing images and storing profiler, GPS, DMI and IMU data

 

 
While most projects are driven by a single goal, such as an updated network-level pavement inspection or the creation of a sign inventory, many DTS clients utilize the secondary benefits of all the additional data collected by the MAC vehicles. Since DTS drives all streets within the jurisdictional project boundaries, they are able to provide a “wheels-on-the-ground” verified update of the street centerline file.

Many times, the MAC field crews encounter barricaded roads, inaccessible gated communities, or streets that may exist in the GIS file but do not exist on the ground (such as platted but unbuilt subdivisions.) Emergency response crews, addressing departments, planners, and the local property appraiser can all benefit from this updated information. DTS has even had clients create 3-D models of their street centerline network based on the MAC vehicle GPS van track elevation data.
 

 
Additionally, many DTS clients set up an online web-based video logger viewer application based on the data collected by the MAC vehicles (as well as data from other collection platforms). VUEPoint® allows for multiple camera views, comparison of images from year to year, and a host of other features including:

• Query routes, and see roadway and right-of-way images on a route
• Play the video after selecting a starting point on a road
• Ingests a variety of roadway video data from several different vendors
• Customize the view to see different data points for each segment (add columns to the data grid)
• Customize the view by selecting the number of camera images to display (from those available)
• A choice of resolution images (thumbnail and higher resolution images, if available).
• Optional pavement camera view display

 
 
VUEPoint® allows asset management personnel to take a virtual drive along the roadway without ever leaving the office. It saves time and money while providing a level of detailed information that is as good as if standing there in person. Moreover, the ability of the viewer to allow users to compare data across multiple years helps management personnel get a real-world perspective when elements of the data seem skewed. It allows them to see if there is a data anomaly or if the condition has really deteriorated as reflected in the data.

Finally, the DTS team also specializes in the creation of GIS asset inventories for our clients. By utilizing a combination of right-of-way imagery collected by the MAC vehicles, aerial imagery, and existing tables and databases, DTS can create a comprehensive GIS-based inventory of all assets located and maintained along any public right-of-way or jurisdictional boundary.

DTS creates new GIS data by extracting any assets captured within the right-of-way imagery collected by our MAC vehicles. A potential listing of assets includes but is not limited to: signs, fire hydrants, utility poles, sidewalks, curbs, manholes, guardrails, water valves, street lights, traffic signals, inlets, bus shelters, and pavement markings and stripings. After these assets are extracted from the imagery with sub-meter accuracy, all attributes requested by the client are assigned to the asset along with a geo-tagged image of the asset.

DTS also generates new GIS data by digitizing assets based off aerial imagery. Examples of this include building footprints, segmented street centerlines, city-maintained mowable acres, railroad lines, and city-owned properties.
Additionally, existing client-maintained databases can also be utilized to create GIS data.
 
Many databases contain some type of geographic attribute such as an address or parcel number. This data can be geocoded and mapped into the overall GIS asset inventory in order to retain historical records and institutional knowledge.
 

For more information about DTS’ Mobile Asset Data Collection services, please contact Daniel Behnke, PMP, AICP, GISP – Director of Asset Management Operations: dbehnke@dtsgis.com or 407.375.3049.