the future of technology in stormwater: drones to augmented reality
DESCRIPTION
Innovative mobile and cloud technologies from phone apps to online platforms to drones are rapidly changing the way we approach and manage stormwater. These innovative technologies can be leveraged to increase efficiency, manage assets, and expand knowledge in the stormwater industry.TRANSCRIPT
The Future of Technology
in Stormwater: Drones to
Augmented Reality
Ryan Janoch, PE
September 30, 2014 WEFTEC 2014
Overview
● Previous Technology
● Current Technology
● Future Technology
● Big Data
● Platforms
● Drones
● Augmented Reality
● Challenges
What is Technology?
The Application of Scientific
Knowledge for Practical
Purposes
Types of Technology
• Infrastructure
• Pipes
• Manholes
• Culverts
• Treatment
• Separators
• Bioretention Cells
• Detention Ponds
• Monitoring
• Depth Sensors
• Water Quality
• Maintenance
• Vac Trucks
• Sweepers
• Information
• Teaching
• Data
• Maps
• Inspections
• Permits
Information Technology
The link between physical infrastructure,
monitoring, and maintenance.
Old View
Data collection, mapping, tracking, and
reporting
New View
Understanding, planning, predicting, and
cost/time efficiencies
Can’t move forward
unless you understand
the past and present
Technology Maturity
1. Infrastructure (mature)
2. Treatment (established)
3. Monitoring (established/growing)
4. Maintenance (growing)
5. Information (emerging)
Information Technology
(maybe Past)
• Paper maps/notes
• NPDES Permits
• Annual reports
• CCTV videos
• Photos
Current (for some) Technology
• Water quality sensors
• Online learning/training
• Electronic inspection forms
• GIS mapping
• GPS tracking of maintenance crews
Big Data
Lots of Data
(e.g. internet search, sensors)
Term is Relative
Always Changing
Data Sources
• Treatment devices
• Location, size, sediment depth
• Water quality results
• Watershed – commercial, industry, etc.
• Inspections
• Outreach/Public
• Open Source
• USGS
• USDA
Be Data Driven
Activities guided by data
not by personal experience
or intuition
Application of Big Data
Data Means Nothing Until You Do Something
-Mixpanel Conference
Planning – growth in use, contaminants, etc.
Predictive Maintenance – more/less frequent
Training – site specific
Hidden Cost Benefits
For Manufacturers:
Data from technology not just the device
For Public Entities:
Timely maintenance and tailored planning
For Engineers:
Understand client needs and constraints
Platforms
● Multiple sources
● Sensors
● Existing maps
● Laboratory data
● Inspection
● Videos/photos
Benefits of Platforms
• Integrated
• Central location
• Easier reporting
• Creating a knowledge
field worker
• Empower staff
Example: Stormwater System Mapping
Example: Asset Management Programs
● Targeted maintenance
● Plan for repairs and upgrades
● Better models (e.g. planning, expansion,
upgrades)
● Reduce long-term maintenance costs
● Permit compliance
Source: amazon.com
Drones
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
• Started as military technology
• Commercial use is banned*
• (FAA guidance by September 2015)
Legal in US
• Hobby Class (<400 feet and <4.4 pounds)
• Universities
Perception (banned)
vs. Reality (used daily)
Commercial Use is Thriving
1. Video production – extreme sports and
unique, low cost shots
2. Real estate – site videos and aerials
3. Construction – daily site photos, building
inspections
4. Agriculture (crowded) – imagery, pesticides
5. Delivery (testing) – DHL, Amazon, Google
Applications in Stormwater
• Erosion monitoring
• Water sampling
• Enforcement
• Remote site inspections/sampling
• Silt fence inspections on construction sites
Benefits to Drones
Data – real-time, visual records, sensors
Cost – $1,500+
Safety – remote
Schedule – on demand
City of Lakewood, Ohio
Problem:
• High stormwater flows
• Erosion at outfalls into Lake Erie
• EPA pressure
Solution:
• $1,500 drone
• Monitor erosion and flow pathways
• Safer than rappelling down cliff
http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/lakewood-buys-drone-to-monitor-sewer-runoff-into-lake-erie
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Water Monitoring
• Aquatic biodiversity data
• Subamarines with video
• pH and temperature sensors on drone
• Citizen project (Cal Academy of Sciences,
iNaturalist, Museum of Oakland, etc.)
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/drones-robotic-rovers-and-citizen-scientists-join-forces-to-
sample-a-lakee28099s-biodiversity/
Photo: Scientificamerican.com
Water Monitoring/Sampling
University of Nebraska
• Beyond aerial photography
• Water sampling with a dronehttp://benkreimer.com/drones/experiments/drone-water-sample-
collection/
European “Drone Project”
• Monitor and treat algae
hotspots
• 3.2M invested
• Consortium of groupshttp://www.waterworld.com/articles/wwi/print/volume-29/issue-
2/regulars/news/industry-news/drones-to-control-monitor-and-treat-
green-algae-blooms.html
Augmented Reality
Live view of the environment
supplemented by computer images
or information (layers)
Source: publicworksgroup.com
Applications of Augmented Reality
• Stormwater pipes
• Maintenance information
Warning: Only as good as the data that goes in
Source: Bentley.com
Source: vuzix.com
Challenges
• Slow to Evolve/Resistance to Change
• Costs
• Not Understanding Limitations
• Not Understanding Benefits
• Tough to Integrate