Entry #9 What Makes Me Proud

Dates: 7/25 - 7/29
Activities: LiDAR demo, Kick-Off Power Point, RTMS install
Technical Information: MS Power Point, WinRTMS4
Reflection: A couple days ago Chris, Daniel, Jeff, and I attended a LiDAR demo given by NCDOT. Brian, one of our NCDOT contacts, uses this 3D scanning system to create breaklines and measure bridge clearances. We met Brian at the Century Center, one of NCDOT's headquarters, and he drove us to one of their test sites to scan a section of highway. Seeing the technology first-hand was very educational. It's one thing to read about LiDAR, but to actually see it in person was pretty neat. Although it was interesting, it was also extremely hot! And because we were working on the side of the road, we were required to wear these attractive reflective vests. I even got to keep an NCDOT reflective hat as a souvenir!

Also, this week Chris and I went to install the RTMS scanning unit on the side of I-40 by the Gorman street exit. However, because we didn't have all the tools required for installation, it was postponed for a later time. It was neat to see how they install these scanning units on the side of the road. ITRE was required to coordinate with NCDOT since a bucket truck was needed for installation.


These past few days I've also been working on a power point that I will be using for the kick-off meeting with NCDOT for the LiDAR project. Because LiDAR is a 3D technology, there are always an abundance of great images, so the power point is coming along well. I'll be giving the presentation for Chris and Daniel next week so they can give me some pointers before the presentation on August 9th. The work I've been doing on LiDAR is probably my proudest accomplishment at work. Because I've spent several hours reading up on this technology, I'm probably the only person at ITRE that knows exactly what it's capabilities are.