Yellowhammer Times

The Alabama Department of Transportation's (ALDOT) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) team played a significant role in the 7th Annual Geo Day at Troy University. The event aims to introduce students to careers in geospatial fields such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), surveying, and drone technology.

During the event, the ALDOT UAS team presented a workshop on drone and mobile scanning applications for geospatial data collection, including hydrographic surveying. They discussed various sensors used by drones, including digital, video, multispectral, and LiDAR. The presentation also covered how mobile scanning and mapping vehicles collect roadway data efficiently using GPS, imagery, laser scanners, and inertial measurement units (IMUs) to create 3D mapping environments for transportation planning and asset management.

Students had the opportunity to observe ALDOT’s Command Center Trailer and Mobile Mapping Truck in action. A live drone launch demonstrated its capabilities in surveying and data collection. This provided students with an up-close experience of ALDOT’s drone fleet and advanced mapping technology.

Geo Day serves as a platform for students to explore career opportunities in the geospatial field through learning sessions and insights from industry experts. J.D. D’Arville, UAS Program Administrator, emphasized the importance of such events: "It’s always a privilege to return to my alma mater, give back and help inspire the next generation of innovators."

By participating in events like Geo Day, ALDOT engages future professionals and highlights how innovative technologies are shaping transportation's future.

Information from this article can be found here.