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at one end in a parking garage and did traverse work going five stories Ultimately, fieldwork required two-and-a-half weeks to collect
down along the ramps, setting control points above ground using the scans, rather than two to three months recording manual
Trimble R12i GNSS receiver, and below ground with a Trimble S7 measurements, and two weeks for traverse, plus two weeks for
robotic total station with a Trimble TSC7 data collector and a Trimble registering and processing survey data.
DiNi digital level. At the opposite end, the team descended through a The data from three different scanning technologies was combined
building, running a traverse through multiple narrow hallways and with extremely accurate control network data to produce a single,
then up through a doorway. Trimble Business Center (TBC) was used congruent, cohesive recreation of the real world.
to process the GPS and traverse work, which was then exported as a “Managing such a large volume of data presented a significant
CSV file and brought into Trimble RealWorks. challenge – we’re talking about 609 individual scans and over one
CED adapted their methodology to overcome unique obstacles, terabyte of data in a single project,” said Boyer. “But the software made
such as temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in some sections and it possible to process and integrate everything, giving us an incredibly
small underground spaces where conventional equipment couldn’t detailed and accurate 3D model of the entire tunnel system.”
operate effectively. The LAS 3D point cloud containing over 26 billion points was
delivered to the client with the free Trimble RealWorks Viewer, which
The Trimble X7’s automatic self-leveling, a feature that helps ensure allows even non-technical stakeholders to visualize each set-up. The
accurate data collection even in challenging environments, proved level of detail provides insight into the condition and layout of the
invaluable for the project. “We found it really made a difference in utilities without having to physically access the tunnels.
the tight, confined spaces of the tunnels when capturing precise Using 3D scanning technology, CED delivered a comprehensive
details of valves, elbows, and other critical infrastructure components,” digital model that provides both immediate benefits and long-term
Boyer explained. value for future maintenance and renovation for this complex
underground utility system.
Complete Picture with Integrated Data
Due to the large volume of data, CED first registered the data sets About the Author: Linda Duffy is a freelance writer and market
researcher at Apropos Research, an independent firm providing
separately, then divided the data into project sections, such as hot and marketing services to the geospatial and remote sensing community
cold tunnels, before integrating the data from all the scanning systems. since 2003. Contact: lduffy@aproposresearch.com.
The ability to blend data from a variety of sources into a single point
cloud offered them the flexibility to apply the scanning tool most Photo credits (including cover photo): Colliers Engineering & Design
suitable for each given space and environment. Note: This article originally appeared in Utility Contractor

SAVE THE DATES

NYSAPLS’ 67th Annual
Surveyors Conference
& Exhibition

Hosted by the
Eastern New York Society
of Land Surveyors

January 26-28, 2026
(Monday - Wednesday)

Saratoga Springs
City Center & Hilton Hotel
Saratoga Springs, NY
Attendee registration
information will be
available in October.

EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 61 • NO 4 / 2025 • JULY/AUGUST 15