Calculating an inventory of stock piled or extracted materials can be a time consuming and costly endeavor. This type of information, however, is essential for the planning, monitoring or inventorying of resources. Ground surveys conducted to compute such data can be expensive because the number of instrument set-ups increase with the number of visual obstacles. Some operations would need to cease in order to insure the safety of the surveyors while on site. That is not an attractive option for a business. Occasionally, the material to be measured may be unstable or dangerous for anyone to be in close proximity. The solution is a photogrammetric survey by Sidwell. Volumetric computations can be produced safely and economically using precision aerial photography as a foundation. Common applications include:
Aerial photography provides a historical record of a moment in time. Therefore, when an inventory is required for a particular date, Sidwell can photograph the site on the day you desire (providing that weather cooperates) to align the inventory data with your accounting cut off date. The photography is first secured using one of our precision Zeiss Aerial Mapping Cameras. Then using photo control, Sidwell photogrammetrists view the photography in 3D using stereo digitizing instruments. Our technical staff interprets and measure data to create a current surface model for the site. This surface is then compared, using terrain modeling software, to another surface to determine and report the current volume or change in volume over time.
A desire for safety, accuracy and economy are three reasons to give Sidwell a call.
