We normally have dozens of projects in process at any point in time and we complete many projects during the course of a year. Following are several thumbnail sketches of projects that help you understand the scope of Tuck's services and the use of different mapping tools and technologies to meet clients' needs.
Duke Energy - Transmission Line Surveys - North and South Carolina
We utilized the eagleeye mapping system to complete a survey of approximately 125 miles of transmission lines for Duke. This work was divided into eleven project sites across North and South Carolina. Some of the right-of-ways were mapped for new line construction and others for re-rating of existing lines. LiDAR data was acquired at 300 feet AGL to ensure highly accurate line, structure and ground points. Corridors were also flown at 1200 or 2000 AGL to acquire data and imagery for color stereo digital models. The lines and ground were mapped from the LiDAR data to approximately 3-inch accuracy and planimetrics were compiled from the digital imagery. Color orthos were produced for the corridors and rectified color images were also provided in PLS CADD format for the design of the lines. Tuck Mapping also provided the ground control survey for the project and placed monuments at each control point for future use during line construction.
Georgia Power/Metro Engineering Transmission Line Survey
Tuck worked with Metro Engineering in the completion of several projects for Georgia Power. Metro provided the ground control and Tuck staff completed the airborne GPS survey for the project. The project consisted of five transmission line segments in Georgia. Two of the lines were for constructing new lines and three were for re-rating of existing lines. The corridors were flown at 500' AGL for high accuracy LiDAR and at 2000 AGL for 6-inch pixel color digital imagery for the planimetrics and ortho production. The final product was presented in PLS CADD format for the design of the lines.
Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant – Hampton, Georgia
Tuck Mapping conducted low-level mapping of the nuclear power plant near Augusta, GA. Necessary clearances to perform the low level mapping over the power plant were obtained from the FAA local office and the Events Office in Washington, DC. The flight plan was designed to avoid high security areas of the reactors and vessels since Georgia Power did not want these facilities mapped. The lines were laid out in three different directions to prevent flights or turns over the reactor. The site was flown at 500 feet AGL for 1-foot contours and then at 2000 AGL for color digital imagery with 6-inch pixel resolution. The RMSE of the LiDAR mapping compared to the ground checkpoints was a remarkably accurate .11 feet.
North Anna Nuclear Plant and Wetlands Area – Virginia Dominion Resources/Burgess and Niple
Tuck Mapping Solutions mapped Dominion’s North Anna Power Plant in northern Virginia. Tuck acquired the necessary clearances from the Potomac TRACON, FAA Events Office, and the security staff of Dominion Resources to fly over the nuclear power plant with the helicopter at 500 feet AGL. The flight lines included flights over the reactors and vessels. The flights were precisely timed due to maintenance work being performed on the plant and the concern that the helicopter would be a distraction to the workers who were performing critical tasks. Extensive safety planning and precautions were necessary for all operations around the plant. The helicopter was transported to the site via trailer and unloaded just outside the security gate. All work was done in cooperation with security agents at the plant. The helicopter obtained both the LiDAR data and the color digital imagery for planimetrics and orthos.
In addition to the plant site, wetland areas around North Anna Lake were also mapped. This was accomplished by bringing the environment engineer onboard to identify areas of concern while flying around the 250-mile perimeter of the lake . The engineers marked the areas on quad maps which were subsequently flown. There were sixteen areas for LiDAR and photography acquisition. We provided 1-foot contour and color orthos of each area. The wetlands mapping was to be used in the permitting of the nuclear plant for future expansion.
Itasca Plant Site - Calumet, Minnesota - HORIZONS Inc
Tuck mapped the site of a new power plant to be constructed near Calumet, MN. The plant is sited on abandoned iron ore mines that were not reclaimed. The site consists of very large pits and slag piles some of which are 600 feet deep and many are full of water. In addition to the plant area, two 12-mile corridors were mapped for future transmission lines from the plant to substations in the area.
A local surveyor provided the ground control points and the Tuck staff provided GPS occupation during the LiDAR missions. The plant site was flown at 300 AGL to provide 2-3 inch vertical accuracy and the corridors were flown at 500 feet AGL to provide 1-foot contours for the design of the transmission lines.
The helicopter was transported via trailer to Grand Rapids, MN and unloaded at the local airport. Mobilization occurred at the town park and fire station for the duration of the project. Nearly 700 flight lines were flown in completing this project.
Due to the controversial nature of the project, a special effort was made to establish and maintain positive relationships with local citizens. We did this by meeting and informing local officials of our work plans and inviting local children to see the helicopter. Many children visited and sat in the helicopter. Quickly, the town opened their shop area to our staff for internet access to transfer data. Our work and the helicopter were covered on the local TV channel. Since our helicopter is usually mobilized on a project site, our staff makes an extra effort to ensure that good relationships are maintained with local people.
Coalfield Expressway - Virginia Virginia Department of Transportation
Tuck mapped approximately 60 miles of highway corridor for the Coalfield Expressway through Buchanan County, Virginia with the eagleeye mapping system. Corridor widths varied between 4000 feet and 6000 feet. LiDAR data was obtained at 500 AGL. The LiDAR acquisition provided 1-foot accuracies for the entire corridor. In addition to the LiDAR flights, the corridor was flown with fixed-wing aircraft that utilized a RC-30 camera to obtain color digital imagery for the production of planimetrics and digital orthos. This project is unique because it is a public-private partnership between VDOT and several coal companies. The highway corridor is being selected and designed to exploit coal reserves along the route to help offset the cost of highway excavation.
