NJ Transit aerial survey provides valuable data - Transit Update

Railway Age, May, 2003

New Jersey Transit ran a three-week program last month utilizing a helicopter to perform aerial surveys along all of its rights-of-way, enhancing security and improving the agency's emergency 'response capabilities.

The specially equipped helicopter used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to collect data, images, and video footage of NJ Transit s nine commuter rail lines, as well as its Morrisville Yard. LiDAR utilizes a Global Positioning System-guided laser that creates a three-dimensional image. A digitized electronic map, video, and track chart is produced, and is integrated into a Geographic Information System that can be accessed by NJ Transit employees. John Chance Land Surveys, Inc., was hired to conduct the aerial survey, having done similar work involving more than 2,000 miles of rail in the U.S.

The information collected and charted through the survey will eventually provide NJ Transit dispatchers, police, and other emergency responders with maps of affected areas instantly upon the report of an incident.

NJ Transit will also use the data and video to create a training simulation system for rail personnel.