Page 40 - NSAA_Fall2015Journal

FIGURE 3: WHERE DOES THE RESORT SEE HIGHEST SPEEDS?
an emphasis on keeping consumers both informed and
safe—one company has been using it to provide greater
detail after an incident.
Mountain Graphix is a Colorado-based geographic infor-
mation system (GIS) mapping and 3D modeling firm that,
among other services, specializes in 3D reproductions for rec-
reation litigation. According to the company’s website, mtn-
graphix.com, “Using the most advanced accident investigation
and 3D tools, our animation team provides exceptional demon-
strative exhibits and expert support to give lawyers a critical version of the map that is presented to adaptive
edge in deposition and in court.”
Founder Brian Brill, a former ski patroller at Colorado’s
Keystone Resort, first got into GIS and 3D mapping during
incident investigations precisely because it resulted in such
accurate maps. “Once an accident went into litigation, I
found it was very useful to accurately depict the accident
scene,” Brill said. “I’ve always been interested in gathering
the tools to do that. It’s especially helpful to show to jurors the contours of the terrain before getting out on the
who may not have ever been skiing.”
Brill said the first time he presented a map in court
and the judge admitted it as evidence, it was so helpful that
throughout the trial both sides continued to refer to it. Since “The first blind student who touched it said it could
then, his business has diversified beyond just skiing, to the
point where he is investigating any number of ski, automo-
bile, and truck accidents.
Like Stratton’s Panarisi, Brill also relies heavily on
LIDAR, albeit with a ground scanner that he uses on every
project. “In a few hours, I can collect data from all of these
points and be able to tell you the diameter of a tree on any
run down to the millimeter,” Brill said. “LIDAR is the tool I
was always dreaming of back when I was hiking around with
a tape measure at the scene of an accident.”
According to Brill, ground scanners cost about $75,000
38 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2015
FIGURE 4: WHERE IS THE RESORT MOST CROWDED?
3D MAPS LET ADAPTIVE STUDENTS
PREVIEW THE SKI HILL
Three-dimensional (3D) Mapping makes it easier
for skiers and snowboarders to see the slopes.
But in Telluride, they may make it easier to feel
the slopes as well. Thanks to a collaboration
between the mountain and the Pinhead Institute—a
local Smithsonian affiliate that promotes science
education—3D mapping helped create a 3D printed
students so they can have a preview of the runs
before they hit the snow.
Patrick Sharlow of the Pinhead Institute worked with
Telluride adaptive instructor Mike Hardy to create the
map, which includes all of the area’s terrain including
the chairs. The idea was that students—especially those
who are visually impaired—would benefit from touching
hill. Any student who wants to can touch the map, and
some have already been offering Sharlow advice on
how to improve on his first model.
use more resolution,” said Sharlow, who teaches 3D
printing and robotics at the institute. “That was good
input because I think people who are blind have to
rely a lot more on mental visualization, and their sense
of touch is heightened because of their loss of slight.”
Sharlow said he will be able to triple the resolution on
the next attempt, and has figured out a few other ways to
improve the map for the students who will most benefit
from it. “I think the usefulness was somewhat limited
because it is the entire mountain,” he said. “For the next
one I would zoom in and have better detail of the green
runs, because that’s what they are usually riding.”—PK