Photogrammetry
Summit Engineering Corporation is currently the only engineering firm in Nevada and one of the few firms in the western states to have in-house photogrammetric capabilities. We are also proud to be the first and only digital softcopy photogrammetric organization in the Nevada private sector. Summit Engineering Corporation began the transition from previous generation analytical stereoplotters to current generation softcopy photogrammetric workstations in the first part of 2000 and ceased their use for new work in 2001. Digital photogrammetry lends itself to greater quality control in that the digital terrain model being compiled by one of our senior photogrammetrists is draped three-dimensionally on the stereo imagery. The stereomodel can also be viewed simultaneously by multiple personnel and it is not uncommon for our engineers to sit in with our photogrammetry staff to obtain a better understanding of their projects.

Our two digital photogrammetric workstations use BAE Socetset software as the core for stereo visualization and measurement. Aerotriangulation is performed using Leica Geosystems Orima software. Digital terrain modeling and planimetric data collection is achieved with Cardinal Systems VR-One. Summit Engineering Corporation's chief Photogrammetrist has over thirty-one years of photogrammetric and land surveying experience.

While the most common product from photogrammetry is topographic mapping, it is also used for digital terrain modeling (dtm), earthwork calculations, profile and cross-section generation, mine site assessment, archeological site mapping and construction progress monitoring. In addition, our two senior photogrammetrists have extensive backgrounds in photographic interpretation and have been instrumental in the historical reconstruction of project sites. Another advantage of all digital photogrammetry is the ability to create orthophotography in-house. The majority of ALTA/ACSM surveys produced by Summit Engineering Corporation include either black and white or color orthophotography in order that developers, lenders, title companies and any party involved in the development process can have a true “birds-eye” view of their properties.

To further assure the greatest accuracy in photogrammetric projects, our photogrammetry staff performs the majority of photo control for engineering projects. Our photogrammetric staff is a leader in the use of GPS for project control and has great expertise in developing the transformations between local and world datums for projects no matter how remote the location.

Major Projects:

Lincoln County Basemap Orthophotography and Planimetric Mapping - Summit Engineering Corporation produced planimetric mapping and half foot pixel color orthophotography in support of Lincoln County safety planning for potential impacts by the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste facility. Summit Engineering Corporation also established a single unified datum covering the towns of Rachel, Alamo, Caliente, Pioche and Panaca.

Truckee River Topography and Orthophotography – Summit Engineering Corporation produced two foot contour mapping and .5’ pixel orthophotography of the Truckee River from Sparks to Nixon along with the static GPS surveys to establish control for the photography.

Washoe County Topography and Orthophotography in 2000 – Summit Engineering Corporation produced two foot contour mapping and DTM’s for .5’ pixel orthophotography over the City of Sparks.

Sutro Vicinity Topographic Mapping – Summit Engineering Corporation produced one foot contour and planimetric mapping of five square miles in the Sutro tunnel vicinity. Work included establishing photo control by static and RTK GPS along with differential levels to confirm the Conus 99 geoid model in the area.