CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
GEOLOCATING SCANS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
June 2025
COST SAVINGS EFFORT PROVIDED BY GEOLOCATING SCAN
NAME OF PROJECT HERE
3D scanning with GPS control is especially valuable on complex sites where space is tight, access is limited, and accuracy is critical. It captures the full site geometry quickly and safely, reducing the need for repeated field visits and minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. The high-resolution data allows the team to analyze sightlines, clearances, and potential conflicts early, helping prevent costly design changes or delays during construction. By integrating georeferenced data directly into project models, the team gains a precise, reliable foundation for planning and coordination.
Last month, our team successfully completed a complex geolocation project involving two scans over a mile apart. The primary objectives were to ensure visibility from the top of an air traffic control tower and to determine if a new building would obstruct the view of the taxiway’s end. If the building blocks the view, that’s a serious safety and operational issue for air traffic control.
To achieve this, we utilized the Leica RTC360 3D laser scanner to collect as-built data on the air traffic control tower. We gathered crucial information such as the tower’s center, window heights, and its position relative to the taxiway. We used a GPS rover to geolocate targets within the scan, ensuring precise alignment of the data.
Given our limited time frame of 8 AM to 12 PM to capture all necessary data, the Leica RTC360 was the ideal choice. The scanner’s ability to quickly capture detailed 3D point clouds allowed us to efficiently gather comprehensive data within the tight schedule. Additionally, the scanner’s capability to capture complex geometries and hard-to-reach areas provided a complete and accurate representation of the structure, which would have been more time-consuming with a total station.
We repeated this process at the taxiway’s end, capturing all necessary details. Back in the office, we compiled all the data in Civil 3D, integrating the 3D point clouds and GPS data to create a comprehensive file. This file provided the civil engineer with all the necessary information to assess the potential impact of the new building on the tower’s visibility of the taxiway. This project not only showcased our technical skills but also demonstrated our ability to solve complex problems efficiently using advanced technology.
In summary, by leveraging 3D scanning and GPS technology on the front end, the project team was able to identify and mitigate potential sightline conflicts early, before costly design changes, delays, or rework would have occurred during construction. This approach not only improved safety and accuracy but also provided significant cost savings by eliminating uncertainty, streamlining design coordination, and ensuring that construction logistics were planned correctly from the start.
