LIDAR INSPECTION SERVICE
Welcome to the future!
Power line patrol is becoming increasingly dependent on LiDAR imagery taken from helicopters and drones. Their excellent visibility and the ability to fly low and slow, or hover and land makes both platforms the most effective aerial patrol aircraft.
What is LIDAR?
LIDAR uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to image objects. It can target a wide range of materials, including non-metallic objects, rocks, rain, chemical compounds, aerosols, clouds and even single molecules. A narrow laser beam can map physical features and the returned beam is translated into a 3D image with very high resolution.
Tomlinson Aviation services include aerial patrol inspection services, collection of aerial LIDAR and imagery (infrared & Corona technology) data ideally suited for various analysis and mapping. Primarily, the LIDAR data will be processed to generate clearance distance polygons for vegetation management, the color imagery (still & video) can be used for orthophoto creation, transmission structure photos, and visual inspection of the ROW.
Infrared (IR) imagery can be used for dead tree identification, while the corona data can be used to detect and pinpoint flash-arc corona and arcing partial discharge locations on electric facilities (e.g. transmission & distribution lines, substations).
What industries utilize LIDAR?
The possibilities are almost endless in which LIDAR can be highly beneficial. The most common industries that are taking advantage of our LIDAR inspections include: agriculture, transportation, power distribution, and infrastructure. Give us a call to find out how we can make your company more successful.
LIDAR IN ACTION
Identify Category II Trees
Identify Category III Trees
Identify Category III Trees
Trees that are inside the ROW that have a fall-in potential can be identified. The LiDAR data can be analyzed to determine the location of potential Category II trees by comparing tree stem point features with the ROW boundaries. Once the candidates are located, LiDAR data will be reviewed to verify whether or not the tree stem is within the ROW. A point file can be created with Category II tree locations and delivered in Esri shapefile format.
Identify Category III Trees
Identify Category III Trees
Identify Category III Trees
Analysis of the LiDAR can be performed to determine the “fall in” vegetation outside of the ROW. For example, a danger tree area might be consider a tree that is 15’ outside of the ROW for 230 kV line. Any such tree inside the area that could fall at a point directly under the outside conductor could be targeted for removal. Category III trees deliverable can be Esri shapefile format.
Orthophoto imagery
Identify Category III Trees
Using aerial imagery data, create color orthorectified imagery at a ground sample distance of less than 6-inches. Orthophotos will cover the entire width of the ROW. Can be used to find dead trees and various ROW encroachments. Infrared imagery is another excellent tool for dying or dead vegetation identification. A file can be created with dead tree locations and delivered in Esri shapefile format.
Corona detection
Corona discharge is a luminous partial discharge from conductors and insulators due to ionization of the air, where the electrical field exceeds a critical value. By deploying a corona camera we can detect and pinpoint flash-arc corona and arcing partial discharge locations on electric facilities. An image tagged with geolocation can be delivered.
Field Access Data
Field Access Data
In order to aid in the evaluation of vehicle access to various areas of the transmission line ROW, field access data layers can be created. These data will be developed from the LiDAR data set as well as other existing data sources. Esri geodatabase is the delivery format.
The Field Access Data shall include roads --- including areas of significant rutting, fences, gates, hydrology features, contours, buildings, rail roads