May June 2018

10 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 41, No. 3 OrYSN Corner of driving along the same path is nearly impossible. In short, the measurements and procedures were inconsistent and omitted important obstacles to trucks. Mobile mapping keeps surveyors out of the busy highways, expedites the work exponentially, and standardizes the data collection process. Mobile LiDAR data provides a compre- hensive view of each individual structure, including both sign and bridge structures. Having an entire point cloudmodel of each structure allows for more accurate mea- surements than having just a 2D graph of the bridge shape along each lane line. We are able to look at bridge point clouds and measure any low-hanging obstacles, the low points of the structure over each lane, and horizontal clearances to either side for wide loads. Some software pro- grams can automatically search the area normal to each lane surface for the lowest point on the structure. Once measure- ments are made, each structure and its corresponding lane clearances must be readily available and searchable by parties interested in the data. Ideally, the infor- mation will be spatial, and then oversized load permits could be issued on a case- by-case basis by running a route analysis. As a remote sensing surveyor, I have a non-traditional surveying job, where I am tasked with organizing spatial data of Oregon’s transportation network. The difficulty emerges after the data collec- tion when questions arise such as how to store the data, how to make measure- ments efficiently, and how to compile the results. That is where our industry can utilize young surveyors to think out- side the box and use programming and GIS knowledge to automate processes. Recently, I used Visual Basic to program Microsoft Excel andWord to work togeth- er to create bridge clearance diagrams automatically after LiDAR measurements are taken. Whenever data-related processes seem monotonous, there is almost always a way to automate the procedure. As a member of the Oregon Young Surveyors Network, it is fun to hear what other young pro- fessionals are doing in their workplaces with technology, what they bring to the table, and how they are being mentored by experienced surveyors. We have such a diverse profession, where all types of data collide, and young surveyors have the knowledge and ideas to propel sur- veying into the future.  x Top: Mobile LiDAR Unit Middle: St. John’s Bridge Bottom left & right: Yaqiuna Bay Bridge continued T