Improving the Efficiency of Collision Investigation Surveying

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Improving the Efficiency of Collision
Investigation Surveying
Capturing the Bigger Picture
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Why ?

• It is estimated that a major road closed costs
  the economy 140,000 per hour for closure
• By using suitable modern survey equipment road
  closure time can be reduced

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Responsibility of Investigators

• Fatal and serious collisions are classed as a
  crime scene
• Identify and record evidential items
• Arrange the correct recovery and storage of
  vehicles
• Carry out tests to provide data for
  reconstruction
• Prepare forensic reconstruction of incident
• Attend court where appropriate

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Data Capture - Traditional

• Traditional methods
• Tape and offset measurements
• It only works for small scenes
• Time consuming/resource consuming
• Extends disruption
• Difficult to share paper information
• Legal challenges
• Photographs
• Useful for overview
• Not possible to take accurate measurements unless
  stereo photography used

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Data Capture - Photogrammerty

• Difficult to capture large scenes
• Targets included in photographs
• Calibrated camera required
• Best results obtained from raised position
• Increased processing time in office

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Data Capture - Survey Instruments

• Total Station
• Electronic data measuring (EDM)
• Electronic storage of data and plan production
• Immediate huge time saving (gt300) at the scene
  and follow up plan production
• Better evidence representation on plan
• Higher accuracy
• Allows integration of other electronic data
  sources

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Data Capture - Survey Instruments

• GNSS (GPS)
• Electronic data measuring
• Electronic storage of data and plan production
• Immediate time saving (gt25 over TS) at the scene
  and follow up plan production
• Easy to train / implement

• Better evidence representation on plan
• Higher accuracy
• Allows integration of other electronic data
  sources

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Warwickshire Police Case Study

• Initially Accident Investigation was carried out
  by Traffic Patrol Officer
• All measurements were by tape and offset with
  hand drawn plans
•  
• In 1992 The Accident Investigation Unit was
  established with dedicated officers

• In 1993 the unit significantly increased its
  efficiency by purchasing a Topcon 6B Total
  Station, computer with Generic CAD software  and
  A1 printer
• In 1998 adding a second Total Station a GTS703
  and upgraded the older instrument
• A further significant increase in efficiency was
  gained In 2001 by purchasing the first GPS unit
  reducing survey times by A further 25 and in
  2005 a 2nd GPS system was added

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Warwickshire Police Case Study

• In 2006 the unit took part in a trial of Survey
  Equipment in conjunction with TRL.  The result
  came to show that GPS was the way forward proving
  time savings over conventional total station
  surveying.   
• Photogrammetry was considered unsuitable for
  scene mapping.
• The Highways Agency in 2007 decided that they
  would fund the Police Forces of England with new
  surveying technology.
•  
• As a result the unit was given a new Topcon GR3
  GNSS System and the new latest Imaging Robotic
  Station the IS.
•  
• Since then the unit has traded in its older GPS
  systems and purchased a second GR3 unit.

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Warwickshire Police Case Study

• In addition the unit is now producing 3D models
  of scenes for crime investigations
• The unit is very high tech and recognised within
  the force as being capable of producing detailed
  plans, 3D models of outside and inside of
  buildings, for crime, major incidents, air
  crashes and collision scenes
• Warwickshire Police are continuing to keep up
  with technology to ensure it is in a position to
  tackle any situation that arises in the most
  efficient way and is working in partnership with
  Topcon to provide this service

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TRL Trial - UK

• In 2006 Transport Research Laboratories (TRL) was
  commissioned by the Highways Agency to carry out
  pilot study in the UK, it was found that an
  average of 40 minutes could be saved at an
  accident scene compared to existing methods
  (Standard Total Station) by using GPS or Robotic
  Total Stations
• Topcon GPS and Total Stations were used in these
  trials by Warwickshire Constabulary
• Photogrammetry and Laser scanning were also
  trialled but discounted

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TRL Trial - UK

• Laser Scanning failed to gather all information
  which was required
• Office processing was to onerous at that time
• Photogrammetry was too complex in the office and
  methodology at the scene
• GNSS proved to offer significant advantage over
  other methods
• When combined with TS measurements provided the
  ultimate solution

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Highways Agency Investment

• The study proved that a significant cost / time
  of closure saving could be made by using advanced
  Survey Instruments.
• In 2007 the UK highways Agency invested 2.5m in
  Advanced Surveying Equipment on behalf of the
  Police Traffic Accident Investigators

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Cumbria Constabulary Case Study

• In 1994 surveying by Tape and manual drawing
  method
• In 1995 implemented first Total Station to
  collect and store data electronically
• Accepted by legal system following demonstration
  of accuracy and reliability
• Professional approach to investigations
• Immediate huge time saving

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Total Station Upgrade

• In 2005 upgraded Total Station to Imaging
  reflector less
• Short learning curve and some time saving (5) at
  scene and office (15)
• Added value of image storage on site and
  validation at court
• Use of integrated imaging has increased
  understanding of plans at judicial proceedings

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GPS Robotic Addition

• In 2008 Upgraded to Imaging Robotic and GNSS
  equipment
• Analysis on the use of new equipment showed 20
  time saving by introducing new technology over
  existing Total Station use
• Can be one man operation frees up investigators
  for other tasks at scene

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Summary of Technology
GIS GNSS
GNSS GR-3
Scanner GLS-1000
Imaging Station
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Imaging Station

• Standard Total Station with built in camera
• Survey data is overlaid on images
• Validation of surveyed data as image is stored
• Reflectorless measurment helps reduce time at the
  scene
• Helps evidence identification of measured points
• Helps plan production and court understanding

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Robotic Total Station

• Similar to Total Station with benefit of one man
  surveying
• Two man team can now work on different aspects of
  incident evidence gathering
• Time saving over standard Total Station as pole
  is followed automaticaly
• Plan production on the fly reduces office time

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Imaging Scanning Robotic Station

• Advantages of image storage and one man robotic
  in one instrument
• Long distance reflectorless measurement for
  quicker surveying
• Panoramic images for understanding scene
• Additional scanning for capture of complicated
  data
• Non destructive data capture
• Remote data capture for hazardous sites

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GNSS Rover GR-3

• Satellite based measuring system
• Independent of line of site so can be used at
  incidents without waiting for clear area
• Quick set up and operation time
• Short learning curve
• Best system at large scenes. Multiple rovers can
  be used
• Plan production on the fly reducing office time

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Office Software

• Survey Master
• Full field to finish solution
• Used by Police Forces
• Car libraries available

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Laser Scanning

• Large data set capture
• Non destructive evidence gathering
• Low user input
• Remote data capture for hazardous sites
• Suited to Crime Scene recording

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GIS - GNSS

• Hand held GNSS
• Network Correction 30cm accuracy
• GIS Data capture
• Built in laser measure
• Built in Camera
• Built in Bar code scanner

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Future for rapid surveying

• GNSS RTK (cm) in the hand
• Rapid Robotic Surveying
• Laser Scanning advancement
• Imaging / Photogrammetry easy to use

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2
Integration of Technologies
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Future AI Technology ?

• Vehicle based imaging/scanning
• Topcon IPS-2
• GNSS RTK
• 360 Camera
• Iniertial (IMU)
• CANBUS to vehicle
• 3x laser scanners

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Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAV)

• Unmanded Arial Survey
• Measurement using stereo photogrametry / scanner

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Partnerships with Topcon

• Over 15 years experience working with Police
  Incident Investigators
• Technology is always advancing
• Partnership keeps officers up to date with the
  best equipment and training
• UK
• Leicestershire, Warwickshire
• Cumbria, Dyfedd Powys
• Jersey / Guernsey..
• Germany
• Köln, Bochum..
• Brazil..
• US.

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Recommended by Topcon

• GR-3 GNSS with Imaging / Robotic station

Or

• GR-3 with Reflectorless Total Station

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Topcon has experience of Police Investigator
demands

• Topcon can advise and deliver the best solution
  and training to improve the efficiency of a
  Police Investigator team

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• Questions ?
• Ian.Stilgoe_at_Topcon.eu