Enhanced rapid laser mapping of streetscapes

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Jun 21, 2007

Specialist 3D digital city modellers AMT3D and mobile mapping experts Reality Mapping Limited of Cambridge have joined forces.

Specialist 3D digital city modellers AMT3D and mobile mapping experts Reality Mapping Limited of Cambridge have recently announced an arrangement whereby clients can take advantage of both the latest 3D laser data capture techniques.

Reality Mapping provide a fast spatial data capture service using a unique collection of three long distance laser scanners mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

Travelling at 15 kph their Streetmapper can scan the streets of towns and cities both quickly and economically.

The millions of XYZ points in space (or point cloud) captured can then be processed to produce 3D digital city models to aid city and highway engineers, planners, architects, developers and others involved in regeneration and the heritage, in their work in a way that was previously not possible.

AMT3D complements the work of Reality Mapping through the use of their 'stop and go' more accurate method of data capture.

Their long distance laser scanner is mounted on a moveable trolley that can be taken down narrow streets and alleys as well as indoors.

Scanning 360 degrees with an elevation of 80 degrees and a capability to capture in excess of 12,000 data points per second, the AMT3D scanner is ideal for the detailed modelling of key buildings and structures.

AMT3D also offer clients their post-processing services, where the raw 3D data can be turned into interactive 3D digital reconstructions of the real world into which CAD models of proposed developments can be placed and viewed in context in a way previously not possible.

In addition to producing such models from the stop and go system, the AMT3D team can also process the data from the mobile unit to produce appropriate 3D digital models into which the more detailed models can be integrated.

Cost effective photo-realistic and architecturally accurate 3D digital models of real streetscapes are therefore now available in both CAD as well as offline and online interactive formats.