GEOmedia_3_2016 special issue for INTERGEO

Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n° 3-2016 

INTERGEO 

www.intergeo.de 

SPATIAL SURVEY 

OF URBAN 

ENVIRONMENTS 

22 

WELCOME 

TO THE ZEB 

REVOLUTION 

BY STUART CADGE 

36 

SMART 

CITY 

NEWS 

BY LUIGI COLOMBO AND 

BARBARA MARANA 

16 

28 

STUDY AND 

DEVELOPMENT OF A 

GIS FOR FIRE-FIGHTING 

ACTIVITIES BASED ON 

INSPIRE DIRECTIVE BY 

ANDREA MARIA LINGUA, MARCO 

PIRAS, MARIA ANGELA MUSCI, 

FRANCESCA NOARDO, NIVES 

GRASSO, VITTORIO VERDA 

A SURVEY FROM 

UAV IN CRITICAL 

AREAS: THE 

ADVANTAGES OF 

TECHNOLOGY IN 

AREAS WITH 

COMPLEX TERRAIN 

BY ZAIRA BAGLIONE 

32 

Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n°3-2016 15


SPATIAL SURVEY OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTS 

by Luigi Colombo and Barbara Marana 

The paper deals some experimental 

benchmarks regarding urban environment 

modelling. The employed techniques, 

which automatically collected point clouds 

and created the DSM, are terrestrial laser 

scanning, with a direct GNSSRTK 

geo-referencing, and UAS imagery. 

Fig. 3 - A perspective view of S. Pellegrino Terme inside the point model. 

The technological innovation 

in survey 

techniques has nowadays 

led to the development of 

automated systems, with combined 

multi-functional sensors 

including laser scanning, GNSS 

receivers and imaging. These 

devices can perform on field 

metric operations, ranging from 

spatial modelling, geo-referencing 

of objects in an assigned 

coordinate system, fast spatial 

reconstructions of interiors or 

exteriors and roofs, with the 

Fig. 1 - Nadir and oblique images. 

related thematic information 

(colour, materials, decay). 

The automatic sensors allow 

to mainly collect point clouds, 

from the ground, from road 

vehicles or small remotely piloted 

aircraft (Unmanned Arial 

Systems). This redundant mass 

of data simplifies the survey 

process, increasing productivity 

for 3D modelling and derived 

sub-products (vector-raster), 

such as perspective views, elevations, 

orthophotos, horizontal 

and vertical sections, thematic 

maps, etc. 

Present technologies and 

techniques 

Point clouds are today the first 

source of spatial information 

(also texturized with colours or 

reflected energy). The clouds 

are generated by automated 

survey techniques, without 

contact, and represent the basis 

for creating the so-called Digital 

Surface Models. 

Terrestrial and air-transported 

laser scanning has been till now 

the main way to generate online 

point clouds; more recently, 

the research in Computer 

Vision has deeply transformed 

imaging survey, allowing the 

off-line extraction of point 

clouds from image blocks. One 

speaks in this case of Dense 

Image Matching, referring to 

the software procedures which 

guarantee this technologic enhancement. 

It is known that the point cloud 

collection does not occur in a 

deterministic form, as manual 

surveys (the meaningful points, 

only), but in a stochastic way, 

with the surveyed points which 

become the nodes of a sampling 

grid superimposed over the objects. 

The grid step depends on selected 

spatial resolution, measurement 

distance, laser beam 

impact (normality, obliquity) 

and morphologic surface irregularities. 

The transition from the grid 

nodes to the interest points is 

then performed by applying local 

interpolation processes. 

Much is known and has been 

written these years about scanning 

systems and associated 

16 Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n. 3-2016


Fig. 2 - Direct geo-referencing for scanning survey. 

procedures, much less, perhaps, 

about the bi-centennial imaging 

survey. This technique was 

indeed overcome at the end 

of the previous century by the 

advent and fast development of 

laser scanning and only recently 

it is coming back thanks to 

Computer Vision support and 

to remotely piloted aircrafts. 

However, this cannot be considered 

a return to the past but 

rather a “back to the future” (as 

written by someone), because 

the technological scenario has 

now significantly changed (processing 

algorithms and so on). 

Laser technology nevertheless 

provides the relevant advantage 

(thanks to the measured stationpoint 

distance) that just one 

single ray has to be reflected 

from an object point for its 3D 

determination; on the contrary, 

imagery survey needs at least 

two homologous reflected rays 

(from different sensor locations) 

for each object point and some 

measured information on the 

point model, as well. 

Additionally, if problems arise 

in laser scanning applications, 

regarding reflective, transparent 

and translucent surfaces (metals, 

marble, paints, glass, etc.), 

also for imagery approach the 

surveyed objects must present a 

meaningful geometry and thematic 

characters, such as nonuniform 

or not smooth and 

monochrome surfaces and few 

shadows. 

These conditions are necessary 

to allow automatic recognition 

of homologous points among 

corresponding frames: the 

process is performed by means 

of digital image correlation algorithms, 

with the support of 

epipolar geometry to speed up 

the search. 

The acquisition phase registers a 

block of photos, longitudinally 

and transversally overlapped according 

to the type of selected 

survey (2D or 3D) (fig. 1): 

aerial nadir or oblique images 

are collected through horizontal 

strips (ground survey) together 

with normal or oblique shootings 

belonging to vertical strips 

(façade survey). 

The aerial carrier brings survey 

sensors and navigational devices 

(GNSS+INS) for recording realtime 

position and attitude of 

the photo-camera: this enables 

both autonomous flights, via 

pre-defined way-points, and a 

geo-referencing process based on 

GNSS-RTK or PPK techniques 

(the so-called Direct 

Photogrammetry). 

Remotely piloted small 

aircrafts (UAS) are vertical 

take-off and landing carriers, 

with hovering functions (the 

so-called multi-rotorcrafts), or 

fixed-wing aircrafts. All systems 

are equipped with a stabilized 

platform to overcome spatial 

rotations produced by flight, 

air turbulence or wind, and can 

carry a payload, that is the sensors 

for survey. 

The UASs allow lower flightheights, 

compared with 

manned aircrafts; so, a larger 

image scale is collected, with 

the same value of camera focal 

length, and higher levels of detail 

and height accuracy. 

Certainly, the lower flight 

height increases the forward 

motion effects on the image, resulting 

in blurring phenomena; 

it is possible to limit this problem 

both by reducing the cruise 

speed and well combining 

stops, shutter time and sensitivity 

(ISO) of the digital sensor. 

So, the motion blur can be kept 

within the pixel size of the photo 

and the relative object settlement 

inside the GSD parameter 

(Ground Sampling Distance). 

Some experiences regarding 

multi-sensor survey for territory 

documentation were recently 

performed at the University 

of Bergamo by the Geomatics 

group: two applications of them 

are described below. 

Fig. 4 - A 3D view of the point model for the ancient bridge. 

Fig. 5 - 3D model: a bank of the Brembo river with hotels and restaurants. 



The first experience: 

the multi-scale survey 

of S. Pellegrino Terme 

This application regards the 

multi-scale survey with terrestrial 

laser scanning realized over 

the urban land of S. Pellegrino 

Terme, a small ancient town 

close to Bergamo (northern 

Italy). 

Advanced laser-scanning technologies 

were used, with a 

remarkable attention to the 

needed level of detail and with 

a careful look at buildings, their 

decorations and history. The 

reconstructed model was also 

utilized to create a virtual walkthrough 

for land investigation. 

The performed survey has 

pointed out the original development 

of this settlement, designed 

for leisure and wellness, 

which was followed early by 

a gradual decadence that only 

new ideas and a renewed love 

for the site could overcome. 

The standards for urban model 

construction and management 

(city modelling) were proposed 

by the Open Geospatial 

Consortium (OGC) with the 

CityGML: these models are 

typically multi-scale 3D applications, 

ranging from landscape 

simulation to urban planning, 

from managing calamities to 

safety monitoring, etc. 

A modelling process requires 

the selection of geometric entities 

according to the chosen 

level of detail (LoD) and the 

attribution of textures for augmenting 

realism. This way, 

the survey approach for S. 

Pellegrino Terme documentation 

was established, together 

with the set of data to collect. 

It is known that laser scanning 

and imaging provide a dense 

object-point cloud, which can 

be geo-referenced in an assigned 

coordinate system. The geo-referencing 

is performed either indirectly, 

through control points 

Fig. 6 - Orthographic elevations of the Spa-buildings, extracted from the point model. 

(pre-marked and measured on 

the object) and matching procedures 

based on natural features, 

or directly using satellite positioning 

and orientation devices. 

The localization quality is enhanced 

through differential 

positioning techniques via 

Internet corrections (code or 

phase), transmitted from a 

GNSS reference networks: a 

few centimetre accuracy (at 

95% likelihood) is guaranteed, 

either interactively via a RTK 

approach or in Post-Processing 

(PPK). In the described application, 

the GNSS reference 

network (NetGeo), by Topcon 

Positioning, was used. 

The direct geo-referencing, 

without control points and an 

alignment phase, is particularly 

convenient in applications 

regarding large areas (requiring 

several scans) when a level 

of detail equal or lower than 

LoD2-3 (likewise the scale 

1:200 or smaller) is required. 

Obviously, where the satellite 

signal is not guaranteed, due to 

urban obstructions, indirect or 

mixed geo-referencing have to 

be applied. 

Anyway, it is useful to select 

some check points (CP), among 

the control points (GCP), to 

assess the final accuracy of the 

process. 

Figure 2 shows the adopted 

scheme for capturing direct georeferenced 

object points: a laser 

scanner was used (Faro) and 

two satellite receivers (Topcon), 

fitted with a bracket respectively 

over the scanner and on an orientation 

point; both the receiv- 

18 Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n. 3-2016 

Fig. 7 - A view of the monastic complex in Albino


ers, which operated in staticrapid 

mode, were connected via 

Internet to NetGeo for a fine 

RTK positioning in the Italian 

reference system (ETRF 2000). 

The set of direct geo-referenced 

scanning stations also provided 

a pseudo GNSS network, able 

to act as a geodetic support. 

The collected point clouds were 

altogether 200, with an average 

spatial resolution of 100 mm in 

the useful range (10÷350) m; 

the computer storage has been 

globally around 26 GB. 

S. Pellegrino Terme, a small 

tourist settlement today, was 

very fashionable last century 

in the world of entrepreneurial 

bourgeoisie. The town is located 

along the narrow Brembo 

valley (north of the city of 

Bergamo): famous for the healing 

waters, it stands out in the 

local landscape with the undisputed 

charm of its architectures 

and the elegance of the urban 

environment. 

Among the artistic treasures, 

it must be remembered the 

municipal Club-House (1904- 

1906), with two towers reminiscent 

of the famous one in 

Monte Carlo (Principality of 

Monaco), and the impressive 

Grand Hotel (1904), along the 

Brembo river, with the large 

front full of decorations. 

The Grand Hotel is connected 

to the Club-House and the Spa 

buildings, located on the right 

bank of the river, through the 

bridge “Principe Umberto I”. 

All these structures were realized 

at the beginning of the 

nineteenth century in the 

years of Belle Époque and Art 

Nouveau. 

The terrestrial scanning survey 

was performed in a multi-level 

detail, ranging from OGC- 

LoD2 and OGC-LoD4, and 

corresponding to the scales 

from 1:500 to 1:100. 

A Faro laser scanner (Focus 

X330) was utilized, with a builtin 

photo-camera; this scanner, 

characterized by a long range 

(around 350 m), is particularly 

effective for 3D survey of large 

territorial spaces because it allows 

a meaningful reduction 

of the instrumental stations 

needed to capture information 

(see figures 3, 4, 5, 6). 

Good results were generally 

obtained, despite some deficiencies 

in the building-roof 

documentation, thanks to the 

favorable hilly morphology and 

the large range provided by the 

scanning device. 

The roof knowledge could be 

better realized through an additional 

survey from above, using 

UAS techniques. 

The other experience: 

the UAS survey of the 

Dehonian complex 

The religious complex of 

Dehonian fathers, is located in 

Albino, a small town in the valley 

of Serio, the river flowing 

down from the mountains surrounding 

Bergamo. 

This Apostolic school was 

built in 1910; during the years 

of World War II it became a 

kind of big ark hosting people 

evacuated from their homes 

and moved to Albino, which 

was considered safer from the 

bombing risk. 

In 1944 a part of the complex 

was occupied by the Italian military, 

who remained there until 

early 1945; during the war, the 

little town was bombed but the 

Apostolic school was luckily 

spared. 

In the following years, until 

1991, the structure served as 

Diocesan Seminary; when this 

activity ceased, the complex of 

buildings was renovated to create 

a meeting point for spirituality 

(fig. 7), still active. 

The imaging survey (using a 

hexa-copter) aimed to provide a 

Fig. 8a – The flight planning for the nadir image coverage. 

Fig. 8b – Vertical strips with oblique images. 

spatial model of the built area, 

including roofs, for documentation 

and maintenance purposes. 

The model, with a level of 

detail equal to 1:200 scale, was 

performed by: 

- a nadir image coverage with 

horizontal (parallel) strips (fig. 

8a) from heights less than 50 

m, taken by a Sony photocamera 

with a 14.2 MP CMOS 

sensor (fixed focal length of 16 

mm); the image overlaps were 

between 80% and 60% and the 

carrier speed around 5 m/s. 

- some up and down vertical 

strips over the façades, with 

oblique images taken at a surface 

distance around 10 m (fig. 

8b). 

It is known that an image-based 

survey can be performed using 

algorithms, techniques and 

software ranging from those of 



Fig. 9 - Software for imaging. 

classical Photogrammetry to 

the modern ones of Computer 

Vision; some well-known packages 

for imaging are shown in 

figure 9. 

The collected nadir and oblique 

images for the religious complex 

(fig. 10), around 400 photos, 

were used to generate a 3D 

model through a dense image 

matching, performed inside the 

Swiss-made Pix4D Mapper, a 

software of Computer Vision. 

About thirty Ground Control 

Points, for block adjustment 

and geo-referencing (Italian 

Reference System - ETRF 2000), 

Fig. 10 - The set of collected nadir and horizontal images. 

were targeted over some selected 

details (on ground and 

roofs), measured by direct 

topographic methods (accuracy 

equal to a few centimetres) and 

then observed over the images. 

Figure 11 points out the georeferenced 

orthomosaic performed 

from the set of photos 

and regarding the main cloister; 

figure 12 shows the correspondent 

3D reconstruction through 

a perspective view with phototextures. 

It is interesting to observe that 

the imaging model has resulted 

a bit more smoothed in comparison 

with those performed 

through a laser scanning approach. 

Final remarks 

The described experiences have 

highlighted the great potentiality 

that laser scanning and 

UAS imagery can offer for a 

Fig. 11 - A geo-referenced orthomosaic for the main cloister. 

multi-scale analysis of urban 

land. This is the result of the 

meaningful development now 

achieved in the acquisition 

phase, the deep ease allowed by 

automation and the increased 

reliability. The software has 

once more had a central role for 

an effective point cloud management 

and raster-vector production. 

The support of GNSS- 

RTK technology has been 

useful for cloud connection 

(direct and automatic); besides, 

GNSS and INS units represents 

a fundamental basis for autonomous 

aerial navigation and 

positioning. Surely, the integration 

between laser scanning and 

UAS imagery will become more 

and more interesting, to allow a 

complete photo-realistic model 

of urban environments; anyway, 

some security aspects have to be 

still improved in relation to aircraft 

standards and flights. 

Acknowledgements 

The authors wish to thank the 

students Lorenzo Filippini, 

Riccardo Begnis and Daniela 

Piantoni, who developed their 

master theses in Building 

Engineering, and Eng. Giorgio 

Ubbiali of DMStrumenti for 

the technological support in the 

measurement campaign. 

Fig. 12 - A 3D view regarding the reconstructed photorealistic model of the complex. 



REFERENCES 

B. Bhandari, U. Oli, N. Panta, U. Pudasaini (2015) - 

Generation of high resolution DSM using UAV images - FIG 

Working Week 2015 - Sofia - May 2015 

L. Colombo, B. Marana (2015) - Terrestrial multi-sensor survey 

for urban modelling - Geoinformatics, 3-2015 

H. Hirschmueller (2011) - Semi-Global Matching - 

Motivation, developments and applications - Proceedings of 

Photogrammetric Week 2011, Stuttgart - Wichmann 

J.N. Lee, K.C. Kwak (2014) - A trends analysis of image processing 

in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle International Journal of 

Computer, Information Science and Engineering, 8(2) 

M. Naumann, G. Grenzdoerffer (2016) - Reconstructing a 

church in 3D - GIM International, 2-2016 

R. Pacey, P. Fricker (2005) - Forward Motion Compensation 

(FMC) - Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, 

November 2005 

R. Szeliski (2011) - Computer Vision: Algorithms and applications 

- Springer - New York 

ABSTRACT 

The paper deals some experimental benchmarks regarding urban environment 

modelling. The first application has been performed over the small 

thermal settlement of S. Pellegrino Terme, famous in northern Italy both 

for the healing waters and for its rich Art Noveau architectural decorations; 

the second test is the documentation of the religious complex of 

Dehonians in Albino, a little town close to Bergamo (Italy). 

The employed techniques, which automatically collected point clouds 

and created the DSM, are terrestrial laser scanning, with a direct GNSS- 

RTK geo-referencing, and UAS imagery. 

AUTHOR 

Luigi Colombo 

Luigi.colombo@unibg.it 

Barbara Marana 

Barbara.marana@unibg.it 

University of Bergamo 

DISA - Geomatics Group 

Dalmine (Italy) 

KEYWORDS 

Land documentation; point-cloud analysis; laser scanning; 

UAS imagery 



Welcome to the ZEB REVOlution 

by Stuart Cadge 

In this article we will introduce 

the ZEB-REVO, and the attributes 

that make this a unique piece 

of surveying hardware. We will 

discuss how the ZEB-REVO is 

shaking up the surveying market, 

Fig. 1 - The ZEB-REVO in action – handheld, pole-mounted, backpack-mounted – a 

truly versatile tool. 

and will look at a number of 

industry applications in which the 

ZEB-REVO is making a difference. 

The surveying industry 

has witnessed rapid 

changes in the last 

few years - the increased use 

of mobile surveying devices 

and the utilisation of LiDAR 

technology (Light Detection 

And Ranging) to produce 3-dimensional 

point clouds of the 

survey subject are two such examples. 

Another major shift is 

the mapping of indoor spaces, 

utilising technology that does 

not rely on GPS. 

Leading the fore in all of these 

technologies is GeoSLAM, 

a young, vibrant technology 

company based in the UK. 

GeoSLAM specialises in the 

manufacture and supply of 

indoor, handheld mobile surveying 

units; the ZEB1 and the 

new ZEB-REVO, launched in 

March 2016. 

Strong Beginnings 

GeoSLAM was founded in 

2012 as a joint venture between 

CSIRO (Australia’s National 

Science Agency and the inventors 

of WiFi) and 3D Laser 

Mapping (a leading global provider 

of 3D LIDAR solutions). 

Coming from such strong pedigree 

has allowed GeoSLAM to 

grow rapidly in both range and 

scope, currently incorporating a 

global distribution network of 

35 agents across 6 continents. 

GeoSLAM launched their first 

mobile scanner, the ZEB1, in 

Q4 of 2013. With its springmounted 

head and nodding 

movement, the ZEB1 quickly 

Fig. 2 - Comparison of ZEB1 data (left) and ZEB-REVO data (right) Image courtesy of Opti-cal 

Survey Equipment. 

gained notoriety and popularity. 

Early adopters were amazed 

by the speed of scanning, the 

ease of use and the quality 

of the results. Data processing 

was also a simple process 

– customers simply ‘drag and 

drop’ their raw datasets onto 

an online Uploader, in order to 

register and process their scan. 

In a matter of minutes, fullyregistered 

3D point clouds were 

obtained. 

However, GeoSLAM did not 

rest on their laurels. The technology 

industry moves quickly, 

and GeoSLAM knew that a 

second, more sophisticated 

solution was required. ZEB1 

customers spoke of their desire 

for a truly-mobile scanner – 

one that wasn’t just handheld. 

They also wanted a fuller, 

more even point cloud that the 

40Hz ZEB1 could produce. 

When the customers spoke, 

GeoSLAM listened. 

The REVOlution Begins 

In March 2016, the ZEB- 

REVO was launched. Featuring 

an in-built motor to create 

360 o rotation, the REVO can, 

like the ZEB1, be handheld. 

However, it can also be mounted 

onto an extending pole, 

fastened to a backpack, secured 

to a trolley or vehicle, even 

strapped to a UAV for aerial 

surveys. 



Fig. 3 - Building surveys (such as this family-sized home) are completed in minutes, not hours, with the ZEB-REVO. 

The autonomous motion of 

the motorised scan head opens 

up a world of new applications 

for this clever little scanner. 

Little being the operative word; 

weighing just over 4kg (including 

the backpack) and with the 

scanner head measuring 9 x 11 

x 29cm, this is a surveying tool 

that is truly mobile. 

It’s not just the outside that 

has evolved – inside the scanner 

head is a powerful yet safe 

(Class 1 Eye safe) 100Hz laser – 

making an impressive 100 rotations/second. 

The unit collects 

the same number of points per 

second as the ZEB1 – 43,200. 

So what’s the advantage of this 

faster speed? 

The increased scan speed (over 

2.5 times faster than the ZEB1) 

means that the collected data 

points are spread out more 

evenly over a greater number of 

scan lines - giving the appearance 

of smoother, cleaner and 

less noisy datasets. More importantly, 

this even distribution of 

points allows the world-beating 

SLAM algorithm to work better. 

The SLAM algorithm works 

by dividing the scanned surface 

into sectors, and identifying 

points within each sector. If a 

sector is devoid of points, then 

it cannot be included in the 

algorithm. So, by having a more 

even distribution of points, the 

SLAM algorithm can build a 

fuller, more complete point 

cloud. 

The difference is clear to see. 

Compare the two images below 

of the same elevation. The view 

on the left is ZEB1 data, which 

is characterised by a striated, 

lined appearance. There are a 

few gaps, especially higher up 

the elevation where the scan 

lines have hit the elevation at a 

more acute angle. 

The right hand view is the 

same elevation captured with a 

ZEB-REVO. The point cloud 

is cleaner and the points are 

more evenly distributed – creating 

a much more ‘complete’ 

looking point cloud. Not only 

does this provide better results, 

it also supplies the user with 

vitally important confidence in 

the kit. 

Versatility in Action 

The upshot of these technological 

advances is the sheer number 

of new applications and 

industries that are now open to 

scanning with the ZEB-REVO. 

Whether it is simply improving 

an existing workflow of the 

ZEB1 (i.e. stockpile surveys 

and building scans) or opening 

up brand new uses (i.e. manhole 

and suspended ceilings, 

utility trenches) versatility is the 

word for the ZEB-REVO. A 

number of these new and improved 

applications are featured 

below. 

Building Surveys 

Building surveys have long been 

the ‘bread and butter’ work of 

the ZEB1 – the simplicity, ease 

of use, highly mobile nature 

of the unit lends it perfectly to 

multi-level, indoor structures. 

The ZEB-REVO has simply 

improved and built upon this 

success. 

The increased scan speed creates 

a fuller, more complete point 

cloud, reducing the number of 

areas with low coverage. The 

ability to rapidly unscrew the 

handle and attach an extending 

pole allows the user to reach 

into spaces that may not otherwise 

have been available – into 

loft spaces, suspended ceilings, 

even to ‘poke’ the unit out of 

windows in order to obtain 

overlaps with the building exterior. 

Underground Mapping 

Another staple of the ZEB1, 

underground mapping includes 

both mine and cave surveys. 

Similarly to buildings, under- 

Fig. 4 - The ZEB-RE- 

VO in action – handheld, 

pole-mounted, 

backpack-mounted – 

a truly versatile tool. 



ground is the perfect 

environment for ZEB 

systems, being devoid of 

GPS, totally enclosed, and 

often with many unique features 

for the SLAM algorithm 

to work with. Not only have 

ZEB systems been proven to increase 

survey quality and detail 

(over traditional survey methods), 

they have also slashed survey 

times by a factor of 3. 

A major advantage of the ZEB- 

REVO in these environments is 

safety – and the ability for the 

REVO to access areas that human 

users cannot. The autonomous 

nature of the ZEB-REVO 

allows the unit to be attached 

to a remote-controlled trolley 

system and sent into areas that 

are either too small to access, 

or that are hazardous to health. 

The image shows the ZEB- 

REVO head mounted onto the 

front of a remote-controlled 

trolley in a mine. The datalogger 

sits just behind the head 

in the body of the trolley. The 

trolley was sent into a restricted 

area of the mine that was inaccessible 

to people, allowed to 

scan, and returned to its starting 

position. 

Stockpiles 

Another area of application 

where both the ZEB1 and 

ZEB-REVO excel. With these 

mobile scanning units, stockpiles 

of all varieties can be surveyed 

in a matter of minutes. 

The survey data can then be 

easily imported into a variety of 

third party software packages, 

where volumetric calculations 

can be carried out in minutes. 

The advantages of the REVO 

in this application are complete 

coverage and continuous scanning. 

A potential pitfall of using 

the ZEB1 for stockpile scanning 

was the chance that areas 

would be missed, especially the 

very top of the pile. It is not 

advisable to walk on the stockpile 

for obvious safety reasons. 

Therefore, a pole-mounted 

ZEB-REVO can be utilised to 

ensure that complete coverage 

of the stockpile is obtained, 

allowing for a complete point 

cloud model, and therefore, a 

more accurate volume calculation. 

The second major advantage 

is the ability to simply 

wall-mount the unit. For many 

stockpile applications (and particularly 

for indoor stockpiles), 

continuous analysis of the 

stockpile is required. With a remotely 

operated, wall-mounted 

unit, this is now a reality. It is 

simply a case for the unit to be 

switched on when a survey is 

required, and the autonomous 

motion will carry out the scan. 

The 360 o vertical by 270o horizontal 

field of view (i.e. just a 

90o blind spot to the rear) ensures 

that no parts of the pile 

are missed.. 

Marine 

A rather newer application for 

the ZEB systems is in the world 

of marine surveying. Anybody 

who has been on a marine vessel 

will know that space is at a 

premium; this is even more so 

when it comes to submarine 

vessels. 

A number of marine authorities 

and businesses have a requirement 

to accurately but rapidly 

survey their stock, either for 

the purposes of creating 2-dimensional 

blueprints, or for the 

creation of 3-dimensional, fully 

interactive models. 

Both the ZEB1 and the ZEB- 

REVO can be rapidly deployed 

in a marine environment, and 

used to create a 3-dimensional 

point cloud of these hugely 

complex environments. 

Forestry 

Thought that ZEB units were 

for indoor use only? Think 

again. The ZEB1 and ZEB- 

REVO work best in ‘enclosed’ 

environments – not necessarily 

just indoor ones. A typical forest 

will naturally be considered 

to be an ‘enclosed’ environment 

by the unit, as the tree canopy 

creates a natural ‘ceiling’. 

Coupled with the proliferation 

of unique features that a forest 

holds, and it can be seen that 

forests are the perfect environment 

for ZEB scanners. 

Over the summer of 2016, a 

number of different forestry 

studies are being carried out 

using the ZEB-REVO scanner. 

The first of these studies, carried 

out by the Geography department 

of University College 

London (UCL), focussed on 

measuring small deformations 

in the ground topography of a 

mechanically-harvested area of 

forestry. 

Fig. 5 - Stockpile scanning is made 

simple with the pole-mounted ZEB-REVO. 

Fig. 6 - Cross 

section through 

the engine room 

of a marine vessel 

captured with 

the ZEB-REVO. 



Fig. 7 - 3D data 

of a vehicle 

captured with 

the ZEB-REVO 

in minutes. 

The suspicious 

package is highlighted 

red. 

From the data collected, the 

team were able to create a cmaccurate 

digital elevation model 

(DEM) spanning 100s of square 

metres. This data is then being 

used to measure the outputs of 

methane (CH 4 

) from these areas 

of felled forestry. 

Another study, conducted in 

relation with the University of 

Leicester, involves the mapping 

of varying forestry habitats 

across the UK. The aim of this 

study is to make comparisons 

between different forestry habitats 

across the UK, and also to 

combine the data captured with 

the handheld ZEB-REVO with 

data captured from above, using 

spaceborne-rader and UAVbased 

imagery. 

On a simpler note, both ZEB 

units can be utilised to rapidly 

and accurately scan an area of 

forestry, to obtain the point 

cloud data, and to make cuts or 

sections in the data at certain 

heights. One such important 

height is the breast height diameter 

(BHD), which is a measurement 

taken at 4.5 foot from 

the ground. This measurement 

is then used to create an estimate 

for the biomass of the area 

of forestry in question. 

Security and Contingency 

Mapping 

A final and possibly unexpected 

use for both ZEB units 

is in the ever-growing realm 

of security. In an increasingly 

uncertain world, governments, 

police forces, security agencies 

and indeed even companies are 

increasingly security-conscious 

and are turning to new technologies 

to increase their security. 

ZEB1 units have been in use by 

a number of police forces since 

their launch in 2013. Their 

speed, ease of use and high 

mobility make them the perfect 

tool for capturing the details of 

a crime scene, accident scene, or 

for mapping a building or site 

of interest. In the case where 

speed is of the essence (for example, 

after a RTC on a major 

road) the ZEB unit can be deployed 

in seconds, with a scan 

complete in a few minutes. This 

allows for a fully 3 dimensional 

image, accurate to within a few 

centimetres, to be gained. 

The development of the autonomous 

ZEB-REVO 

has obvious benefits in 

these areas. In the case 

of a crime scene, the polemounted 

ZEB-REVO may be 

deployed, to ensure that areas 

of interest are not touched or 

disturbed. 

Where there is a risk to human 

health (for example, a bomb 

threat, or an unsecure building), 

the REVO can be trolley 

mounted (as in mining) and 

sent in alone to scan the area of 

interest. 

It is our prediction that the 

realms of security and reconnaissance, 

there will be increasing 

demand for this type of 

rapid, mobile, versatile surveying 

tools. 

The Future 

So what does the future hold 

for GeoSLAM? In a rapidly 

growing, rapidly changing 

industry, standing still is 

quite simply not an option. 

GeoSLAM will continue to 

respond to new challenges, new 

technological developments, 

and to identify new areas of application. 

Be sure to pay attention 

to forthcoming GeoSLAM 

announcements, to hear more 

about these highly exciting developments 

in the pipeline. 

KEYWORDS 

GeoSLAM; ZEB-REVO; scan 

ABSTRACT 

GeoSLAM is a manufacturer and supplier 

of handheld, 3D mobile mapping 

systems. Founded in 2012 and 

headquartered in the UK, GeoSLAM now 

has a global distribution network of 35 

distributors across six continents. 

AUTHOR 

Stuart Cadge, 

Pre Sales Engineer at GeoSLAM 

For more information, please visit 

www.geoslam.com 

info@geoslam.com 

Fig. 8 - Point 

cloud data of an 

area of forestry 

with a section 

taken at BHD 

height for biomass 

Special Supplement to GEOmedia Journal Issue n°3-2016 25 

calculation.




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Study and development of 

a GIS for fire-fighting activities 

based on INSPIRE directive 

by Andrea Maria Lingua, Marco Piras, 

Maria Angela Musci, Francesca 

Noardo, Nives Grasso, Vittorio Verda 

In the past years, the European Union has 

invested in the development of the INSPIRE 

Directive to support environmental policies 

and actually EU is currently working on 

developing "ad hoc" infrastructures for the 

safe management of forests and fires. 

Fig. 1 – External model definition. 

The activities connected 

to the forest-fire fighting 

could be essentially 

divided in three parts: before, 

during and after the fire. 

In these activities, the most 

complex are the monitoring and 

management of at-risk fire zones 

and fire-fighting procedures especially 

for large fires (> 40ha). 

In the case of “big fire”, which 

are fires with a very large extension, 

the main problem is the 

coordination between the human 

resources (ground, marine 

and air) which work to fight 

the fires. This aspect is more 

critical when the fire is across 

the boundary, because there is 

not a European protocol for 

interventions and each country 

has different procedures and 

CONOPS (concept of operations). 

Thus becomes clear the 

complex reality that competent 

authorities must handle in such 

emergencies (Andrews and Rothermel 

1982; Bovio 1993; Teie 

2005). 

The AF3 project (Advanced Forest 

Fire Fighting) is part of the 

7 th Framework Program and it is 

focused on the prevention and 

the management of big forestfires 

through the development 

of innovative techniques. The 

AF3 purpose is to improve the 

efficiency of fire-fighting operations 

in progress and the protection 

of human lives and heritage 

by developing innovative technologies 

to ensure the integration 

between existing and new 

systems. Furthermore, the AF3 

project aims to increase interoperability 

among firefighting 

supports (Chuvieco et al 2010). 

The project defines a unique 

control center devoted to coordinate 

all activities, from monitoring 

to the intervention on 

field. Among the technological 

aspects, the project provides the 

design of an SDI platform (Spatial 

Data Infrastructure) which 

is essentially based on a GIS 

(Geographic Information System). 

In the following sections, 

GIS model proposed for a part 

of the system will be described. 

This GIS is structured according 

to INSPIRE ( Infrastructure for 

Spatial Information in Europe) 

Directive. 

Fig. 2 Steps to create AF3 Database in PostgreSQL and Q-GIS. 



GIS and fire-fighting: a 

brief description of the 

European scenario 

Currently, in Europe there are 

already several GIS useful for decision 

support at different stages 

of fire management. However, 

the opportunity to have both 

updated or real-time data, and 

a complete and consistent information, 

is often missing. Especially 

it is difficult to have an 

actual data interoperability with 

the existing available technologies. 

In most cases, the information 

collected in the GIS are incomplete 

and they concern only 

one phase of the overall management 

process. There are, indeed, 

systems used, exclusively, 

for prediction or for planning or 

emergency control. In this way, a 

lot of information is lost. However, 

this historical information 

could be helpful to make more 

comprehensive the tool for decision 

support. Furthermore, it 

lacks a central system to register 

distribution and availability of 

resources in risk periods, standardized 

systems for fires registry 

and systematic registration systems 

of firefighting operations. 

Finally, the metadata of the observed 

maps are not always available 

and the data validity is impossible 

to be determined. 

For example, in Europe, Web- 

GIS known as EFFIS (European 

Forest Fire Information System 

http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/effis/) 

was developed by the JRC 

(Joint Research Centre). This 

GeoDB, still under construction, 

records only the data related 

to fire risk analysis and the 

occurred fires in Europe. 

Description of the GIS in AF3 

In order to propose an innovative 

GIS platform devoted to 

support the big forest fires management, 

the following activities 

must be considered: forecasting, 

monitoring, planning, active 

fight and post-fire practices. 

Nowadays, the modern system is 

not designed for a specific enduser 

and it stands out for its versatility. 

However, it is possible to 

establish different authorization 

for different users and method 

of use. 

In order to realize the dedicated 

GIS for AF3, the traditional 

modelling process was followed. 

As well known, needs to pass 

from the complexity of the reality 

to a formal schema describing 

entities and tools used in 

fire-fighting operations. 

External Model 

The first step was the development 

of an external model. In 

this model, the useful information 

could be gathered in three 

categories of objects: the competent 

authorities (command), the 

objects to be protected (territory), 

the event and the ignition 

point (fire and hotspot) (Figure 

1). In the case of AF3, there 

is only one control center that 

handles local operations centers, 

the terrestrial and aerial troops. 

The command center (command 

center) is the national control 

center. Local operations centers 

(operating center) are in charge to 

monitor and to fill register of the 

fire cadaster and the mission report. 

Instead, the teams (operating 

team) take care of active fight 

on the field. 

Conceptual and 

Logical Model 

(INSPIRE oriented) 

Next steps are the definition 

of conceptual and logical models. 

Therefore, these stages consist 

in identification of entities, 

attributes, definition of relationships 

between the entities and 

the data formats. The INSPIRE 

directive, thus, provides fundamentals 

for completely defining 

the information layers closely 

related to the land description 

(e.g. digital terrain model and 

digital surface model), the event 

progression (e.g. time) and meteorological 

data (e.g. wind 

direction and speed, temperature, 

humidity). This European 

specification has a general nature, 

which needs to be suitably 

extended for adapting to the 

specific application. Some “ad 

hoc” entities are added in order 

to consider the data related to 

the command chain, fuel model 

and forest types definition (Burgan 

et al, 1998; Baskets 1999 

Baskets 2002; Han Shuting et al 

1987). 

Currently, it is necessary to 

highlight that in Italy, as in Europe, 

a systematic survey and 

monitoring of the forests are 

missing. Moreover, standardized 

methodology for the preparation 

of suitable fuel models does 

not exist. 

Fig. 3 – Flow-chart of 

alarm trigger. 



Considering these aspects, 

an approximation 

on the fuel models has 

been done. In particular, in 

Italy, the only achieved result is 

a regional classification of forest 

types, but it cannot be considered 

equally valid for the calculation 

of the danger indexes. The 

development of this issue would 

improve our capacity of fire forecasting 

and, consequently, in the 

fire-fighting management. 

Fig. 4 – Example of query: hotspot and operating centre localization (left) and operating 

team localization (right). 

Internal Model 

Open source platforms were 

chosen to implement the database. 

Specifically, PgAdmin 

III were used to manage the 

database PosgreSQL with its 

spatial extension PostGIS and 

the graphical interface. This 

software allows the creation of 

tables and relationships, the 

implementation of triggers and 

queries, the realization of views 

for users and different uses and 

finally the semi-automatic input 

of data. This system is not 

equipped with a graphical interface 

to visualize the spatial data, 

therefore a connection with Q- 

GIS was realized.Thus, the procedure 

of GeoDB implementation 

follows the steps shown in 

Figure 2. 

A peculiarity of the internal 

model was the trigger, which is 

an “ad hoc” procedure for the 

automatic manipulation (insertion, 

modification and deletion) 

of information related to a triggering 

event (Perry 1990). To 

complete the automatic management 

of the entire system, a 

large number of triggers must 

be implemented. Below as example, 

it has been described the 

"trigger" that starts when fire 

alarm is activated. 

In this specific case, when the 

alarm is recorded in the system, 

the program executes the procedure 

schematically shown in the 

flow-chart in Figure 3. 

Case of study (Sardinia) 

Data 

In order to test the GIS functionalities, 

a specific test site has 

been selected. In particular, a 

database related to South part of 

the Sardinia (close to Cagliari) 

has been considered. 

Therefore, defined a specific 

area, all fundamental data have 

been collected, where the most 

important information are the 

state of the forests, fuel models, 

water resource localization, 

roads and technological networks, 

command center, operational 

centers, teams, meteorological 

data, hotspots, alarm 

have been inserted. 

Using these information layers, 

which are suitably designed and 

compiled, using QGIS, it was 

possible to realize an example 

of a query on the system. Since 

the alarm is activated (Figure 4 

- left), the trigger is able to automatically 

calculate the competent 

command center, the 

nearest operating center, with 

the adapted number of men and 

assets. Finally, in realtime, data 

of the team and its location can 

be displayed (Figure 4 - right). 

On the field, the team will be 

monitored and managed by 

the command center, by means 

of the automatic registration 

of their coordinates (Figure 5), 

measuring in real time the team 

position. 

Conclusion 

The developed GIS model describes 

only a part of the “fire 

prevention and management 

system” provided by the AF3 

project, but its complexity is 

Fig. 5 – Example 

of query 

and trigger 

visualization. 

Real time team 

positioning on 

the field. 


quite evident. Especially, 

it underlines that it is 

difficult (in some case 

almost impossible), to 

define exactly some entities 

(e.g. Fuel model or 

fuel moisture). Moreover, 

an unique European 

procedure does not exist, 

therefore it is very complicated 

to define the 

CONOPS and a system 

with a single command 

center. 

The proposed model 

shows that also the open 

source platforms allow 

to realize a complex SDI 

structure. The triggering 

system for the automatic 

procedures allows to add 

value to SDI, because it 

makes the system realtime 

responsive. 

Acknowledgements 

The authors would like 

to thank the CVVFF of 

Cagliari for their availability 

and data sharing. 

Furthermore they thank 

Dr. Raffaella Marzano 

from University of Torino 

for her help about 

fuel model and forest 

type and Dr. Cesti for his 

availability. 

REFERENCES 

Andrews, P.L.and Rothermel R.C. (1982), Charts for interpreting wildland fire behaviour characteristics. INTERGEO USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. 

Rep. INT-131. 

Bovio G., (1993), Comportamento degli incendi boschivi estinguibili con attacco diretto. Monti e Boschi, 4: 19-24. 

Burgan, R.E., Klaver, R.W. & Klaver, JM. (1998), Fuel Models and Fire Potential from Satellite and Surface Observations, International 

Journal of WiIdIand Fire, 8: 159-170. 

Cesti G., Cesti C. (1999), Antincendio Boschivo. Manuale operativo per l’equipaggio dell’autobotte. Musumeci, Quart, Aosta, vol 2. 

Cesti G., (2002), Tipologie e comportamenti particolari del fuoco: risvolti nelle operazioni di estinzione, Il fuoco in foresta: ecologia e 

controllo. Atti del XXXIX Corso di Cultura in Ecologia. Università degli Studi di Padova, Regione del Veneto, Centro Studi per 

l’Ambiente Alpino, S. Vito di Cadore, 2-6 settembre 2002: 77-116. 

Perry, D. G. (1990), Wildland Firefighting: Fire Behavior, Tactics, and Command, ed. Donald G. Perry. 

Teie, W. C. (2005), Firefighter’s Handbook on Wildland Firefighting, 3nd ed. Deer Valley. Chuvieco, E. et al., (2010). Development of 

a framework for fire risk assessment using remote sensing and geographic information system technologies. 

Han Shuting, Han Yibin, Jin Jizhong, Zhou Wei (1987), The method for calculating forest fire behaviour index, Heilongjiang Forest 

Protection Institute, Harbin, China, 77-82. 

http://www.s3lab.polito.it/progetti/progetti_in_corso/af3 (08/10/2014) 

http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/effis/ (08/10/2014) 

http://www.isotc211.org/ (06/11/2014) 

http://inspire.ec.europa.eu/index.cfm/pageid/2 (03/11/2014) 

http://www.postgresql.org (05/05/2015) 

KEYWORDS 

INSPIRE directive; fire fighting; GIS 

ABSTRACT 

According to the Annual Fire Report 2013 (European Commission-Joint Research Centre, 2014), there have been 873 forest fires in 

Europe, in 2013, for a total of 340559 ha of territory. A comparison of this data to that of the previous years, highlights that, when 

the intended goal is that of preserving the environment and saving human lives, the importance of the correct management of forest 

fires can not be underestimated. In the past years, the European Union has invested in the development of the INSPIRE Directive 

(Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe) to support environmental policies. Furthermore, the EU is currently working on 

developing "ad hoc" infrastructures for the safe management of forests and fires. 

The AF3 EU project (Advanced Forest Fire Fighting), financed by the FP7, addresses the issue of developing innovative tools to handle 

all stages of forest fires. The project develops a single control center for the coordination of monitoring, manoeuvring, and post-fire 

operations. The SDI platform (Spatial Data Infrastructure) represents another component which was designed in the context of this 

project. It is based on a GIS (Geographic Information System) which is able to efficiently integrate multi-modal data. 

Following an analysis of the state of the art of information systems for forest fire-fighting, and in light of the end-user requirements 

analyzed within the AF3 project, we propose a geo-topographic database based on the INSPIRE Directive and developed on opensource 

platforms, which provides interoperability of the data and allows forecasting and monitoring of high-risk areas, decision making, 

damage estimation, and post-fire management. 

AUTHOR 

Andrea Maria Lingua 

Marco Piras, Maria Angela Musci, Francesca Noardo, Nives Grasso, Vittorio Verda 

Politecnico di Torino - Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'ambiente, 

del territorio e delle infrastrutture (DIATI) 

Vittorio Verda 

Politecnico di Torino - DIpartimento di Energia (DENERG) 

EDITORS NOTE 

This work has been presented at the 19th Conference ASITA 2015 (Lecco). We would like to thank the organizing secretary for the 

courtesy and his availability and wishes the best outcome for the 20th Conference ASITA 2016 (Cagliari 8-9-10 November 2016). 

• Rilievi batimetrici automatizzati 

• Fotogrammetria delle sponde 

• Acquisizione dati e immagini 

• Mappatura parametri ambientali 

• Attività di ricerca 

Vendita – Noleggio - Servizi chiavi in mano, anche con strumentazione cliente 



A survey from 

UAV in critical 

areas: the 

advantages of 

technology in 

areas with 

complex terrain 

by Zaira Baglione 

The tale of two experiences in the geological and cultural heritage area through the use of fixed-wing drones. 

Innovation and high quality of the data returned from an aero-photogrammetric survey as support to the activities of 

the different professionals. From the survey phase to the post-production all the precautions to obtain images with a 

very good resolution and solve obstacles for the mapping of areas not easily accessible such as quarries. 

The aerial photography 

have had a great revolution 

with the advent 

of the UAV technology that 

actually has allowed to overcome 

the objective problems of 

the access to the information. 

Especially for the territories 

with a complex topography, the 

use of drones is an advantage 

in terms of speed, cost reduction 

and achievement of high 

quality results. The applications 

of the proximity remote sensing 

in critical areas are a lot 

and involve many areas: from 

geology to engineering, from 

surveillance to environmental 

monitoring, civil protection, 

archeology and more. 

In particular it is recommended, 

for several reasons, the use 

of fixed-wing models for the 

survey of medium-high extension 

surfaces. Meanwhile, this 

type of APR provides a greater 

flying range than the multicopter 

models (which generally 

have shorter range, considering 

also the take-off and landing 

operations), in fact with a single 

flight it is possible to cover areas 

of several kilometers and obtain 

uniform images, then with a 

very appreciable qualitative output; 

in addition the control of 

the flight parameters is efficient 

and it is possible to resists to the 

adverse environmental conditions, 

supporting wind gusts of 

up to 60 km/h. The fixed-wing 

aircraft, in general, are perfect 

for the applications in geology 

and archaeological surveys. Two 

interesting experiences, related 

respectively to the geological 

and cultural heritage area, are 

described below by Gabriele 

Santiccioli, FlyTop president 

and member of the Provincial 

Board of Surveyors and 

Surveyors Graduates of Rome. 

Certainly a very growing sector 

is the quarries monitoring 

through precise mapping activities 

to accurately control the 

excavations, to know exactly the 

amount of material removed 

and prevent any movement of 

materials and the risk of landslides. 

A proof of the quality 

of the remote control systems 

for this type of professional application 

is given by Gabriele 

Santiccioli, president of FlyTop, 

through a project carried out in 

a mining quarry in the north 

of Italy. "We enthusiastically 

accepted the engagement by 

the responsible Authority for 

the exploitation of a quarry 

in Emilia Romagna - says the 

president Santiccioli - because 

it meant for us to win a challenge. 

This experimentation 

yook place in an extremely 

mountainous area, undoubtedly 

challenging under the aeronautical 

profile. We used a fixedwing 

aircraft, FlyGeo24Mpx, 

a unique drone in its category 



equipped with technology to 

fly at a fixed altitude. Generally 

this type of critical reconnaissance 

is carried out with a 

multirotor drone, but the fixed 

wing flexibility allowed us to 

successfully conclude the mission. 

The conditions were not 

easy, considering the extension 

of the area to be analysed, about 

95 hectares, and the difference 

in height of 360 meters between 

the top and the valley of 

the quarry. However, with a single 

flight, we have acquired in 

25 minutes nearly five hundred 

pictures with a resolution of 2.5 

cm per pixel ". With regard to 

the mining activity in the quarries 

it must be said that both 

private interests, relating to 

companies that hold the regional 

authorizations, both public 

are involved at the same time, 

considering that some of them 

represent a heritage that should 

be used in an intelligent 

manner and preserve the 

environment. The UAV is 

a good instrument from 

many points of view: it 

allows to rationalize the excavation 

areas on the basis 



of what is known from 

the restitution of photos 

and the subsequent study 

and post-processing; they 

provide information relating 

to the amount of material removed 

and, finally, they are the 

only possible solution to reach 

critical areas that may only be 

known with the conventional 

aerial photogrammetry systems 

and with inevitable higher costs. 

"In order to plan the operation 

we referred to a regional technical 

map (CTR) - continues 

Santiccioli - and we decided 

to set a fixed altitude of 130 

meters. Through some control 

points on the ground we made 

12 strips with an overlap of 70 

percent between each photo, 

acquiring one frame every 25 

meters. We got a 3D model of 

the quarry, a cloud of points, 

the DTM and DSM from the 

restitution and we processed all 

the photogrammetric data with 

a special software characterized 

by a very high level of metric 

accuracy. We can say that this 

result satisfied the client and 

FlyTop, that realized the work." 

The application of the UAV 

technology has grown significantly 

also for the cultural heritage 

sector, not only for monitoring 

and documentation, 

but especially for the discovery 

activities. With the partnership 

started between the University 

of Salento and FlyTop an 

archaeological survey was carried 

out in the Veio Park area, 

a few kilometers from Rome, 

in an area between the towns 

of Formello and Isola Farnese. 

Gabriele Santiccioli together 

with Professor of ancient topography 

Giuseppe Ceraudo describes 

the survey done with the 

fixed wing UAV FlyGeo24Mpx 

that led to the identification of 

ancient Etruscan and Roman 

settlements, in particular the 

remains of structures of buildings 

and streets. 

The discovery 

comes from a 

research project 

that the University 

of Salento leads 

for over ten years 

and had a decisive 

result last 

year following the 

mission that led 

to the discovery 

of a city system 

of Etruscan and 

Roman eras. The 

area covered by 

the flight (about 

forty hectares) was 

overflown with a 

fixed-wing drone 

equipped with 

a 24Mpx digital 

camera with single 

focal length lens. 

The operation 

involved the town 

of Archi di Pontecchio and was 

carried out in compliance with 

ENAC specifications. The flight 

has enabled to acquire images 

of the highest quality, almost 

two hundred pictures with a 

resolution of 1.7 cm per pixel, 

geo-referenced and complete of 

3 parameters of translation and 

rotation. Through the captured 

frames there was a validation 

of what were until now only 

hypotheses; observing from the 

sky the differentiated growth of 

vegetation, in fact, it has been 

recognized part of the ancient 

Etruscan city of Veio. 

About the accuracy of aerial 

photogrammetric data Gabriele 

Santiccioli says: "Our company 

has always been committed to 

combine innovation and integration, 

so we have used all the 

instruments that the surveyor 

has, arriving until the production 

of maps of high technical 

quality in few hours. We have 

obtained a cloud of points, a 

3D model, the DTM and DSM 

from the elaborate digital images 

in order to know better 

the morphology of the land. 

Considering the future scenarios, 

I do not exclude that shortly 

the application of thermal and 

multispectral sensors will enter 

in the archaeological sector or at 

least one study focused on the 

result that could be achieved". 

The aero-photogrammetric 

proximity survey with the use 

of an APR represents an archaeological 

survey interesting 

landscape, as well as a real and 

accessible system for the study 

of preliminary research. Later, 

with subsequent investigations 

and excavations, it will be able 

to determine more accurately 

the reference period and other 

more detailed informations. 

The survey done in the quarry 

and the result of Veio demonstrate 

how the remote sensing of 

proximity through RPAS is advantageous 

in terms of time and 

costs, especially for particularly 

extended areas of inspection or 

not easily accessible. 



The aero-photogrammetric 

proximity survey with the 

UAV use represents an 

interesting vision of the 

archaeological survey, as 

well as a concrete and accessible 

system for the study 

of preliminary researches. 

Later, with subsequent 

investigations and excavations, 

it will be able to determine 

more accurately the 

reference period and other 

more detailed information. 

Both the survey done in 

the quarry and the Veio 

result demonstrate how the 

remote sensing of proximity 

through the use of on 

UAV is useful in terms of 

time and costs, especially 

for particularly large areas 

of inspection or not easily 

accessible. 

KEYWORDS 

UAV; cultural heritage; 

survey; aerophotogrammetry 

ABSTRACT 

The tale of two experiences 

in the geological 

and cultural 

heritage area through 

the use of fixed-wing 

drones. Innovation 

and high quality of 

the data returned 

from an aero-photogrammetric 

survey 

as support to the activities 

of the different 

professionals. From 

the survey phase to 

the post-production 

all the precautions to 

obtain images with a 

very good resolution 

and solve obstacles for 

the mapping of areas 

not easily accessible 

such as quarries. 

AUTHOR 

Zaira Baglione 

zaira@flytop.it 

Account manager 

Flytop 



NEWS 

Sun, water and 

hydromethane: 

possible options 

for the energy 

future of the 

Smart Cities 

The Italian engineering company 

Geocart S.p.A. (www.geocart.net), 

in the context of the 

urban planning according to 

the "Smart Cities" approach, 

has focused its attention on the 

search for new solutions for the 

production of energy from renewable 

sources and resources 

and the development of innovative 

techniques for the monitoring 

of energy efficiency. 

The final objectives of the 

study are threefold: 

1. mapping of potential hydroelectric 

productivity 

from mini and micro-hydro 

plants; 

2. study on the feasibility of optimal 

hydromethane generation 

from renewable sources; 

3. analysis of the efficient use 

of solar resource on an urban 

scale. 

In addition to the estimation 

of the potential productivity 

of hydropower, the objective 

of the study is to understand 

the feasibility of optimal hydromethane 

generation from 

renewable sources and its use 

for public transport in urban 

areas or high environmental 

value areas. The activity aims 

to respond to market needs: 

the various existing technologies 

for hydrogen storage are 

not fully satisfactory in terms 

of efficiency, convenience and 

affordability. A fundamental 

aspect of the activity is the generation 

of hydrogen-methane 

mixtures having a maximum 

hydrogen content of 30% 

by volume, easier to use than 

pure hydrogen: in fact, the hydromethane 

can be used in a 

normal natural gas engine. 

For the analysis of the solar 

potential of the urban area, the 

research is based on 3D mapping 

of city buildings, as a further 

instrument of knowledge, 

including for policy makers, 

of the effective potential use 

of solar resource on building 

patrimony, and as a policy instrument 

for the planning of 

new construction areas. In this 

context, particular attention is 

paid to the study of the energy 

exchanges of the urban area 

and the so-called urban heat 

islands. 

www.geocartspa.it 

(Source: Geocart) 

Location-based data 

and services enabling a 

geosmartcity 

Any smart-city implementation 

leveraging location-based data 

and services is undoubtedly 

reaching faster its sustainability 

aims. The EU co-funded project 

GeoSmartCity is contributing 

to this, establishing a cross-platform, 

re-usable and open hub 

in which different categories of 

users can discover and access interoperable 

geographic information, 

by means of generic-purpose 

as well as specialized services 

based on open standards. 

The GeoSmartCity approach is 

applied in two different urban 

contexts (the Green-Energy scenario, 

to support the implementation 

of sustainable energy policies 

,and the Underground scenario, 

to support the integrated 

management of underground 

utility infrastructures) and tested 

by 11 pilots, consisting of 

cities/regions from 8 different 

Member States. 

The underlying layer of the 

overall GeoSmartCity architecture 

consists of interoperable 

georeferenced and semantically 

reach spatial datasets, which 

have been harmonized according 

to common data models 

which extend INSPIRE application 

schemas on Buildings 

and Utilities & Governmental 

Services and have been made 

discoverable and accessible by 

means of OGC webservices. 

http://www.epsilon-italia.it/IT 

(Source: Epsilon Italia) 

Leica Pegasus 

Backpack 

The Leica Pegasus:Backpack is 

an award-winning wearable reality 

capture sensor platform. A 

highly ergonomic design combines 

five cameras offering fully 

calibrated 360 degrees view and 

two LiDAR profilers with an 

ultra-light carbon fibre chassis. 

It enables extensive and efficient 

indoor or outdoor documentation 

at a level of accuracy that is 

authoritative and professional. 

This unique mobile mapping 

solution is designed for rapid 

and regular reality capture. It is 

completely portable, enabling it 

to be checked in as luggage on 

a flight. The Pegasus:Backpack 

is designed to act a sensor platform 

with our standard external 

trigger and sync port outputs. 

BIM – map indoors, outdoors, 

underground, anywhere 

The Pegasus:Backpack makes 

progressive professional BIM 

documentation a reality. It synchronises 

imagery and point 

cloud data, therefore assuring 

a complete documentation 

of a building for full life cycle 

management. By using SLAM 

(Simultaneous Localisation 

and Mapping) technology and 

a high precision IMU, it ensures 

accurate positioning with 

GNSS outages. 

Industrial training – realitybased 

information for fast 

response Knowing and understanding 

a landscape before 

rushing into emergency situations 

can save lives. Document 

any site in 3D models and 

images for fast, safe and efficient 

response. Combined with 

Autodesk, Intergraph and other 

software, reality-based industrial 

training is enhanced with 

the most accurate and current 

data sets. Safety & security – informed 

decisions in emergency 

situations 

The Pegasus:Backpack helps 

you to make better and faster 

decisions in emergency situations 

due to access to more accurate 

data. Evacuation plans 

and route mapping benefit 

from clear and detailed images 

and point clouds that alert authorities 

to any changes. Access 

densely populated areas, providing 

accurate and current mapping 

to give city authorities a 

clearer and deeper understanding 

of the situation. 

Natural disaster response – minimise 

damage and save lives 

For the first time, responders 

to natural disasters can capture 

disaster area data in 3D on foot. 

Faster response times translate 

into lives saved and damage 

minimised. Capture the critical 

data needed to make faster and 

better informed decisions that 

increases chances of survival and 

reconstruction. 

Contact us for more information 

or to request a demo. 

www.geomatica.it 

(Source: Teorema srl) 


SMART GEODATA – 

SMART CITIES 

GEOSPATIAL 4.0 – 

BIG DATA 

GEOBIM – 

DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION 

JOIN US NOW! 

WWW.INTERGEO.DE 

UK 

PARTNER COUNTRY 2016 

Host: DVW e.V. 

Conference organiser: DVW GmbH 

Trade fair organiser: HINTE GmbH 

SPONSORS:

GEOmedia_3_2016 special issue for INTERGEO

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