How to utilise hydrographic 3D survey data

As ocean and coastal zone mapping technology has developed, the amount of hydrographic data has increased exponentially. The data acquisition equipment has become more accurate and produces high-resolution data.

At the same time, the equipment has become more affordable. The use of autonomous vessels further reduces the costs for marine spatial data. High data quality and decreased data acquisition costs have made the hydrographic data accessible to many, creating wider use of the data.

The survey sensors can be echo sounders, LiDARs, or lasers. LiDARs and lasers are often used in the shallower coastal areas and above-water port structures as sonar scanners are used in the deeper water. With a positioning system, the sensors create a point cloud with map coordinates of the measured area, which is then processed with hydrographic processing software to a 3D model.

Marine 3D data helps asset managers make justified decisions

The hydrographic data can be used to create maps or depth contours, detect underwater objects, or change in bathymetry. Especially in ports and seaways, it is essential to know the exact depth and possible objects in the seabed which affect maritime transport. You need to know if there is enough depth for navigating vessels or if there is a need for dredging.

In addition, port structures have to be inspected for defects to ensure safety and optimise the operations of the port. The port areas and seaways are often scanned repeatedly to learn the optimal cycle for maintenance procedures.

Accumulation varies a lot between different areas of the port, and some structures face more stress from the environment or traffic than others. The comparison of datasets over time reveals those differences, which is valuable information for planning maintenance.

An online 3D platform for visualising, sharing, and utilising the hydrographic data

In order to fully utilise the hydrographic data in decision-making, the data has to be visualised, easily available, and usable for all the relevant stakeholders.

GISGRO online platform allows easy sharing of the data as the processed point cloud can be uploaded to a cloud-based platform, which offers accurate visualization and easy access to the data via a web browser.

GISGRO has tools for many kinds of measurements, checking the target depth, and comparing different datasets to detect changes, in map view or in 3D view, all available online without additional software.

With GISGRO it is easy to use hydrographic data for everyday work in maintenance and planning. The below video introduces some of the hydrographic features of GISGRO.

 


Want to know more about GISGRO?

Book an online demo meeting with our expert to discuss more GISGRO benefits for your port.

Ville Mäkeläinen GISGRO

Ville Mäkeläinen
CDBO
+358 44 513 2222
ville@gisgro.com

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