Challenge

An airline needed to make structural improvements to an underground tunnel in order to support the load of larger aircraft on the taxiway above. To match existing information, the scan data needed to be positioned on state plane coordinates.

Solution

Valdes Architecture & Engineering's survey staff worked with the client to plan the work accordingly around airport operations. A control survey was completed beginning with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) equipment outdoors then traversing through underground tunnels/ramps to the project location. Survey control was established for dozens of scan targets positioned throughout the survey limits and hundreds of 3D scans were completed and registered to be used for future design and planning.

Impact

Valdes’ efforts resulted in a detailed 3D point cloud of the focus area. The data is accurately positioned on state plane coordinates, relative to other design and construction projects throughout the airport.