Multi-Platforms and Multi-Sensors Integrated Survey for the Submerged and Emerged Areas

Abstract

In this paper, the state-of-the-art concerning new methodologies for surveying in coastal areas in order to obtain an efficient quantification of submerged and emerged environments is described and evaluated. This work integrates an interdisciplinary approach involving both geomatics and robotics and focuses on definition, implementation, and development of a methodology to execute integrated aerial and underwater survey campaigns in shallow water areas. A preliminary test was performed at Gorzente Lakes near Genoa (Italy), to develop and integrate different survey techniques, enabling working in a smarter way, reducing costs and increasing safety for the operators. In this context, Remote Sensing techniques were integrated with a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) carrying an aerial optical sensor for photogrammetry and with an ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) expressly addressed to work in extremely shallow water with underwater acoustic sensors (single echo sounder). The obtained continuous seamless DSM (Digital Surface Model) for the entire environment was reconstructed by the combination of different sensing systems by limiting reliance on the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) support. The obtained DSM was displayed in a 3D model leading to the evaluation of the water flow volume and rendering of 3D visualization.

Analysis of Terrain Modelling Methods in the Coastal Zone

“…However, these methods do not ensure the coverage with data of the entire coastal zone. Therefore, the terrain modelling methods are used [84]. Moreover, the land surface modelling in the coastal zone deserves particular…”

Lake Environmental Data Harvester (LED) for Alpine Lake Monitoring with Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs)

“…Range measurements will be synchronized with Microstrain 3DM-CV7-AHRS and u-blox ZED-F9P GNSS for data validation and precise positioning. As per IHO standards [61], the survey falls under category 1b, which is suitable for lake environments and is not related to navigation safety [53]. Depth measurements depend on acoustic pulse travel time, requiring sound speed information from a CTD probe [60,62].…”

“…These advances, focusing on reducing weight and complexity, are paramount for the development of a portable monitoring system. It is noteworthy that SWAMP has already proven its adaptability in various areas, including lakes like Laghi del Gorzente [53] and rivers like Roja [54], where it was transported disassembled. Furthermore, SWAMP showcased its adaptability to extreme environments during campaigns in front of tidewater glaciers in the Svalbard archipelago [23].…”

“…SWAMP has already proved its reliability, having been used in campaigns on lakes like Laghi del Gorzente (Italy) [53] and rivers like Roja (Italy) [54], where it was transported and disassembled. Furthermore, SWAMP showcased its adaptability to extreme environments during campaigns in front of tidewater glaciers in the Svalbard (Norway) [23].…”

Research on Intelligent Trajectory Control Method of Water Quality Testing Unmanned Surface Vessel

“…To begin, general USVs are expensive, large in size, and inconvenient to carry out experiments. In addition, the autonomous navigation control strategy needs to be combined with intelligent control algorithms to make the trajectory tracking control process more accurate and task execution more efficient in order to realize the autonomous navigation capability with lower labor cost and better control effect [1][2][3][4].…”