Structure from motion: proof of concept for shoreline monitoring
Presentation Abstract
In concert with recent efforts to monitor the effects of seawall removal on Puget Sound beaches we have explored the feasibility of using Structure from Motion (SfM) to document changes in beach elevation over time. SfM is a technique that uses digital imagery to build three dimensional elevation models of the object in the image. Using photos taken with relatively inexpensive digital cameras and ground control points from seawall removal sites and reference sites, we employed the image-based modeling software, Agrisoft Photoscan, to create 3D scene reconstructions and dense point clouds, along with high resolution 2D digital elevation models (DEMs). In addition, we collected beach surface elevation data at some of the same beaches using a total station and a RTK GPS to compare results across methods. Our results show that SfM may be used to create reliable high resolution topographic datasets in both 2 and 3 dimensions, and with considerably less expense than other survey techniques. We will provide a brief description of our photo sampling techniques and present examples of the 3D scene reconstructions and DEMs we have produced using these techniques.
Session Title
Mapping and Data
Conference Track
Salish Sea Snapshots
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Snapshot
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Shorelines--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Beach erosion--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Ecological surveys--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Three-dimensional modeling--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)--Surveys
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Structure from motion: proof of concept for shoreline monitoring
2016SSEC
In concert with recent efforts to monitor the effects of seawall removal on Puget Sound beaches we have explored the feasibility of using Structure from Motion (SfM) to document changes in beach elevation over time. SfM is a technique that uses digital imagery to build three dimensional elevation models of the object in the image. Using photos taken with relatively inexpensive digital cameras and ground control points from seawall removal sites and reference sites, we employed the image-based modeling software, Agrisoft Photoscan, to create 3D scene reconstructions and dense point clouds, along with high resolution 2D digital elevation models (DEMs). In addition, we collected beach surface elevation data at some of the same beaches using a total station and a RTK GPS to compare results across methods. Our results show that SfM may be used to create reliable high resolution topographic datasets in both 2 and 3 dimensions, and with considerably less expense than other survey techniques. We will provide a brief description of our photo sampling techniques and present examples of the 3D scene reconstructions and DEMs we have produced using these techniques.
