DAYTON, OH, July 7, 2009 -- Woolpert announced that the firm has signed a strategic alliance with Pelydryn, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) hydrographic survey company founded by former UK National Hydrographer, Dr. Wyn Williams and Geomatics Data Solutions, co-founded by Carol Lockhart.
Through this teaming agreement, Pelydryn and Geomatics will complement Woolpert's topographic mapping capabilities with technology and expertise in mapping and processing hydrographic data, which can be critical in providing accurate water modeling and improving port security. Pelydryn's cutting-edge technology, HawkEye II, is a bathymetric and topographic airborne LiDAR system that provides fast and accurate surveying of shallow waters, shorelines and coastal areas.
"Partnering with some of the world's leading hydrographic experts, including Dr. Williams and Pelydryn's Managing Director Peter Hobson, as well as bathymetric LiDAR processing expert Carol Lockhart, Woolpert will be able to expand its mapping capabilities to provide complete coastal mapping solutions," said Jeff Lovin, CP, Woolpert vice president and director of photogrammetry and remote sensing. "Through this partnership, federal clients such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be able to obtain coastal and shallow water mapping data through a single resource."
Dr. Williams, Former Chief Executive of the UK Hydrographic Office and National Hydrographer, is a Chartered Scientist (PhD in Physics) and Chartered Engineer. As a research scientist he was involved in laser technology and electro-optic systems and brings considerable experience and expertise to Pelydryn. Hobson, Former Royal Navy commander and FIG/IHO Category A accredited surveyor, was instrumental in the inception of one the first companies to use airborne LiDAR along with Dr. Williams.
"Forming Pelydryn enabled us to bring together some of the leading minds in airborne laser bathymetry. This strategic partnership brings together unprecedented expertise, with the ability to provide the highest quality data spanning land and coastline, quickly and efficiently -- this is very good news for our clients," added Dr. Williams.
According to Lovin, the combined capabilities of Woolpert, Pelydryn and Geomatics will provide clients with a unique, high-resolution means for mapping the coastal zone in a single pass. Combined with existing digital imagery capabilities, LiDAR data capture will result in detailed information for assessing coastal change and beach movement, together with water color and imagery.
"The strength of this partnership lies in our ability to provide a single source for seamless mapping, with the ability to merge terrestrial and marine data as well as quality-controlled final products prior to delivery," said Lockhart.
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