Diamond Data Systems, Inc. wins NASA contract to develop software to assist with disaster prevention
Written by Diamond Data Systems
18 October 2005
On September 4th, 2005, NASA announced that Diamond Data Systems, Inc. (DDS) was awarded a Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) contract for development of a new and innovative method to leverage LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) terrain & elevation mapping data.
There are many uses for LIDAR data including disaster prevention through flood hazard mapping and planning, emergency management, weather studies and high-resolution mapping and analysis.
“The capabilities provided by this software are more important now than ever in this post-Katrina era. This solution can help provide valuable information on flood prevention and disaster management so that we can avoid catastrophes like this in the future and help rebuild the Gulf Coast now,” said Keith Alphonso, the DDS project Director. Mr. Alphonso is the Director of the Stennis Space Center office of Diamond Data Systems, which specializes in Geospatial application development.
Some of the potential applications for this technology include:
Flood Mapping and Planning: The high resolution elevation data provided by LIDAR technology provides valuable insight into flood prone areas and how to mitigate flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has initiated a modernization of floodplain maps throughout the United States using LIDAR data in its Map Modernization Initiative.
Disaster Management: LIDAR data is utilized to assess damage and support infrastructure rebuilding after a disaster.
Coastal Erosion: LIDAR data is currently being utilized to detect coastal changes in order to study and remediate coastal erosion.
Weather Studies: LIDAR is being used by NASA for discovering how high, thin clouds at many heights affect climate, understanding how dust and other particles move across the globe, and exploring aerosols and clouds on other planets by satellite.
Lunar and Martian Surface Mapping: NASA leverages LIDAR technology as part of the Clementine project for mapping the LUNAR surface and will continue this effort with the Lunar and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter projects. This high resolution data will be the key to determining optimal landing and environment exploitation sites.
Aviation Safety: LIDAR is utilized in the Airfield Initiative to identify vertical airfield obstructions to aviation.
Forestry: LIDAR data is utilized to detect forest canopy change for forest management.
Nautical Charting: LIDAR is being utilized for measuring seabed depths and topographic elevations for navigation, nautical chartering, rapid environmental assessment, and regional costal zone mapping.
Corridor, Network, and Land Use Mapping and Planning: LIDAR data is utilized for pipeline right way analysis for oil and gas companies as well as transmission line right of way analysis for power companies. Also, network planning can be accomplished for Telecom propagation modeling for wireless and mobile network planning. Also, LIDAR data is used to determine optimal location sites for commercial facilities planning.
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About Diamond Data Systems
Diamond Data Systems is a leading provider of high value IT solutions that include IT strategy, software engineering, network infrastructure design, information assurance, IT contracting and IT outsourcing. DDS has delivered these solutions to commercial enterprises in a variety of industries including healthcare and oil & gas as well as federal and local governments. DDS was selected as one of the “Top 10 Places to Work” in the Greater New Orleans region. DDS is headquartered in New Orleans, LA with an office at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. DDS is a member of the EIGS Geospatial Technology Industry Cluster.
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