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FIGURE 3: WHERE DOES THE RESORT SEE HIGHEST SPEEDS? FIGURE 4: WHERE IS THE RESORT MOST CROWDED?
an emphasis on keeping consumers both informed and 3D MAPS LET ADAPTIVE STUDENTS
safe—one company has been using it to provide greater PREVIEW THE SKI HILL
detail after an incident.
Three-dimensional (3D) Mapping makes it easier
Mountain Graphix is a Colorado-based geographic infor- for skiers and snowboarders to see the slopes.
mation system (GIS) mapping and 3D modeling firm that, But in Telluride, they may make it easier to feel
among other services, specializes in 3D reproductions for rec- the slopes as well. Thanks to a collaboration
reation litigation. According to the company’s website, mtn- between the mountain and the Pinhead Institute—a
graphix.com, “Using the most advanced accident investigation local Smithsonian affiliate that promotes science
and 3D tools, our animation team provides exceptional demon- education—3D mapping helped create a 3D printed
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.” students so they can have a preview of the runs
before they hit the snow.
Founder Brian Brill, a former ski patroller at Colorado’s
Keystone Resort, first got into GIS and 3D mapping during Patrick Sharlow of the Pinhead Institute worked with
incident investigations precisely because it resulted in such Telluride adaptive instructor Mike Hardy to create the
accurate maps. “Once an accident went into litigation, I map, which includes all of the area’s terrain including
found it was very useful to accurately depict the accident the chairs. The idea was that students—especially those
scene,” Brill said. “I’ve always been interested in gathering who are visually impaired—would benefit from touching
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.” hill. Any student who wants to can touch the map, and
some have already been offering Sharlow advice on
Brill said the first time he presented a map in court how to improve on his first model.
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 use more resolution,” said Sharlow, who teaches 3D
point where he is investigating any number of ski, automo- printing and robotics at the institute. “That was good
bile, and truck accidents. input because I think people who are blind have to
rely a lot more on mental visualization, and their sense
Like Stratton’s Panarisi, Brill also relies heavily on of touch is heightened because of their loss of slight.”
LIDAR, albeit with a ground scanner that he uses on every
project. “In a few hours, I can collect data from all of these Sharlow said he will be able to triple the resolution on
points and be able to tell you the diameter of a tree on any the next attempt, and has figured out a few other ways to
run down to the millimeter,” Brill said. “LIDAR is the tool I improve the map for the students who will most benefit
was always dreaming of back when I was hiking around with from it. “I think the usefulness was somewhat limited
a tape measure at the scene of an accident.” because it is the entire mountain,” he said. “For the next
one I would zoom in and have better detail of the green
According to Brill, ground scanners cost about $75,000 runs, because that’s what they are usually riding.”—PK
38 | NSAA JOURNAL | FALL 2015