Pima County Regional Flood Control District Monthly Brown Bag Series
Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Time: 12:00 – 1:00
Location: 201 N Stone Ave., 9th Floor, Tucson
Speaker: Robert Davis – Quiet Creek Unmanned Aerial Mapping
Small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS or drones) and GIS are a great match for quickly and efficiently gaining a greater understanding of large-scale topography. The 0.5- to 4.0-centimeter resolution of products derived from sUAS flights is fine enough to describe very small features and translate easily into GIS-derived products including hydrologic maps. The ease of repeat flights allows for temporal as well as spatial analysis and quick post-event mapping or change analysis. Sensors carried aboard sUAS provide multiple geometric and spectral resolutions allowing for high-definition orthomosaics, indexing, and digital surface model creation. UAS, operating autonomously, can effortlessly cross the most difficult terrain and gather important and accurate data while producing stunning 3D models and visually aesthetic products. The flexibility, high resolution, and ease of integration of sUAS with GIS make them an outstanding tool for mapping. This presentation will cover examples of what can be done with sUAS and GIS to create effective, topical, and detailed maps.
Robert Davis holds a B.S. in geography, an M.A. in national security and strategic studies, and an M.S. in GIS technology. After 25 years in the Marine Corps, he retired as a Colonel of an artillery regiment in 2008. He is the author of two books. He holds a private pilot’s certificate as well as a small UAS certificate from the FAA. He is the chief executive of the Quiet Creek Corporation, a firm that specializes in UAS mapping, UAS photo processing, and GIS analysis.