Digital SurveySNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies.

Together with SNC-Lavalin, a global fully integrated professional services and project management company, Atkins helps clients plan, design and enable major capital projects, and provides expert consultancy that covers the full project lifecycle. We build strong relationships by understanding the challenges that clients face, sharing their vision and helping them transform potential into reality. Our world-class expertise at scale delivers value and our depth and breadth of capabilities sets us apart from the competition. Our specialised services can be contracted from niche tasks to mega projects.

Contact usGeomatics.Aerial@atkinsglobal.com

snclavalin.comatkinsglobal.com

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SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business uses advanced technology to transform the raw survey data gathered from a site into a powerful decision making tool. We offer a comprehensive range of survey and mapping services, from small-scale ground-based investigation to wide-area aerial 3D mapping. Our experienced teams work closely with clients to identify a data collection method that meets their project and cost requirements, and to deliver the insight needed; whether it is to inform the design of a new development, optimise the route of new infrastructure or update existing building or site records for asset management purposes.

We provide the data and intelligence that organisations need to design, build and operate their most valuable assets.

Advanced survey and mapping services

ConsultWe offer innovative survey and mapping services and access to our worldwide network of experts. We help our clients articulate their data requirements and work with them to identify a technical solution that will deliver value for money.

CaptureDigital survey techniques enable us to capture data quickly and efficiently, even across vast sites. It is collected in high definition to create comprehensive data sets that can be used for multiple applications (in line with our philosophy of ‘capture once, use many times’), which increases the return on investment for our clients.

CollaborateThere is no need to invest in specialist software or have a detailed knowledge of surveying and mapping. The digital tools we use enable our clients to easily access and share large volumes of survey data. Our products and services follow industry standards and can be integrated into any work flow.

CreateWe create the highest quality digital survey data products available in the market place by drawing on the latest developments in technology and our extensive engineering expertise. Our teams use advanced data analysis techniques to uncover new intelligence and help our clients make informed decisions about their assets.

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Our team has the breadth and depth of expertise to meet all technical requirements of a project, from developing the initial concept through to completion. Our survey and mapping services seamlessly integrate with our wider design, engineering and project management solutions to enable us to provide a holistic in-house service.

Extensive engineering expertiseProject feasibility

Project initiation

Design

Construction

Maintenance

Consult

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Advanced survey and mapping services

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Our approach

The detailed analysis of up-to-date site data enables clients to maximise the value of existing assets, understand the impact of new infrastructure or prevent problems before they occur.

› Topographic mapping (shows physical features) › Orthophoto mapping (aerial image of the site) › Photorealistic 3D modelling (enabling interactive

3D visualisation and scenario modelling) › Repeat survey (allowing change over time to be

measured and reported)

› Photogrammetry (measuring objects using images) › LiDAR (measuring objects using laser scanning)

› Satellite › Fixed wing aircraft › Helicopter › Unmanned aerial systems

(UAS, also known as drones) › Vehicle-based mobile mapping › Personal mobile mapping systems

› Web-based geographic information systems (GIS) › Photorealistic 3D modelling › Augmented and virtual reality

Gain virtual access to complex and confined sites, lowering cost and the risk to people’s safety.

At a glance

Remote survey techniques minimise disruption and downtime on site, and reduce or even negate the cost of traffic management and other expensive access requirements.

Map large or busy areas such as industrial facilities, or road and rail infrastructure, efficiently and at less than half the cost of traditional ground survey techniques.

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Emerging technology can generate efficiency and reduce cost but ensuring these new developments lead to sustained business benefits can be difficult and time consuming. Atkins’ geomatics consultants work with clients to offer insight through innovation. Our consultancy services include:

› Project management

› Innovative application of technology to solve problems and create new opportunities

› Survey design for building information modelling, digital engineering and digital asset management

› Specification development

› Quality assurance

Consult

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We use remote survey techniques and the latest sensor technology to capture accurate, high-definition raw survey data images of assets and infrastructure. Benefits include:

› Reduces the cost of survey and mapping work compared with traditional ground surveys

› The increased speed and safety of collection minimises the disruption and risk associated with site visits

› Very high accuracy

› Seamless, high-definition data set covering an entire site

› Suitable for sensitive areas or areas that are difficult to access

› Valuable as a reference tool to reduce site visits

› Suitable for 3D visualisation

› Provides an historic record for future reference and to detect change over time

Capture

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Unmanned aerial system (UAS)

Unmanned aerial systems provide a new platform for the cost-effective collection of measured survey data when ground-based surveys are not possible, are prohibitively expensive or too dangerous. UAS surveys are typically suitable for smaller sites and fill the gap between ground-based methods and traditional aerial mapping with manned aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently subject to strict regulation by aviation authorities, which may limit their use in some cases.

Traditional aerial mapping

Large format aerial imagery has a long heritage and continues to advance in line with developments in high-quality digital cameras. It provides an excellent platform for capturing larger sites and transport routes. The image is taken from a manned aircraft so there are fewer restrictions on where it can be flown.

Satellite imagery

Satellites enable us to capture images (including multispectral imagery) over wide areas and although the resolution is much lower than traditional aerial mapping and UAS survey it can be useful for feasibility studies, land use identification, topographic mapping and environmental mapping.

LiDAR (Light detection and ranging)

LiDAR, or laser scanning, can be undertaken from a variety of platforms including aircraft, ground vehicles, or boats, as well as backpacks, tripods and even hand-held scanners. LiDAR collects millions of 3D points in a very short period, which results in an accurate, high-definition ‘point cloud’. When it is combined with image data, LiDAR can provide a colourised point cloud, enabling easier interpretation and understanding of the subject from the desktop.

Capture

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We transform raw survey data into valuable business information that increases our clients’ understanding of their site or asset. All high-definition survey products and services are designed specifically to meet individual requirements and integrate into any work flow.

We use advanced hardware and software to provide the following digital survey products:

› 3D topographic mapping

› Orthophoto mapping

› Digital elevation modelling (DEM) Digital terrain modelling (DTM) Digital surface modelling (DSM)

› High-definition full colour point clouds (a dense set of 3D data points)

› 3D models for building information modelling (BIM), digital engineering and digital asset management

› Photorealistic 3D mesh models for 3D visualisations and virtual/mixed reality

Create

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To ensure we deliver maximum value from every digital survey we undertake we adhere to the philosophy ‘capture once, use many times’. The digital survey data products we create, whether derived from satellite imagery, UAS, or because of survey work that has been carried out on the ground, are analysed by our skilled geospatial team and used to provide our clients with the tools they need to maximise efficiency and the return from their investment.

Analysis

Visibility analysis

Traffic analysis

Volumetric measurement

Flood analysis

Vegetation analysis

Gradient analysis

Monitoring change/progress over time

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Our innovative approach enables clients to easily view comprehensive and powerful 3D data sets, which are often only displayed using specialist software. Our teams use the latest technology including web, geographic information system, mixed and virtual reality to enable clients to conduct virtual site visits, reducing time and cost; or to provide a clearer and more immersive experience for colleagues involved in health and safety training.

Our survey and mapping services integrate with our wider design, engineering and project management solutions to create a seamless experience for our clients. All data is stored and shared in accordance with the highest industry standards.

Collaborate

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Services:Atkins provided a highly-accurate measured survey of the station forecourt, the main concourse, the existing retail units, the office spaces at ground and upper levels and the basements and sub-basement areas below the station.

We used high resolution laser scanning, combined with conventional survey techniques, to create detailed 2D and 3D representations of the site. The work was carried out remotely, which enabled us to capture the data without disrupting passengers or the rail service.

Key benefits:The comprehensive plans we developed, combined with our 3D modelling, enabled Network Rail and its stakeholders to assess a range of options and advance the design process with a single, accurate model compatible with building information modelling (BIM). It can be developed and used throughout construction and maintenance when the refurbishment is complete. 

Case study:Charing Cross Retail Scheme, London UK

Network Rail appointed a project team to help enhance people’s experience of London Charing Cross by expanding the retail space, reconfiguring existing shops and creating well-connected, attractive and functional spaces. We enabled our client, and its stakeholders, to develop the design by providing consultancy, data capture and visualisation services.

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Case study:Transport for London (TfL) Aerial Surveys, London, UK

The operator of London’s underground rail system required high-resolution aerial imagery and topographic mapping to assist with planning and to inform its upgrades to the network. TfL requested as close to 2cm resolution imagery and survey accuracy as could be achieved. Atkins was appointed to carry out the work on several of the deep Tube lines.

Services:Up until that point, it had not been possible to capture that level of detail from a fixed-wing aircraft. However, we developed the methodology that would deliver the sought after aerial imagery and +/-2cm survey accuracy. Atkins also seamlessly integrated the data into the track department’s design software.

Key benefits:Atkins is the only supplier to offer 2cm resolution aerial imagery from a fixed wing platform in the UK. This imagery is of exceptional quality, which has helped in the identification of features along the track, and in mapping attributes that were previously only captured using ground survey techniques.

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The Dutch roads and waterways agency, Rijkswaterstaat Adviesdienst Geo-informatie en ICT, maintains the country’s extensive road and waterway networks, and is responsible for flood and sound pollution analysis. It created a digital mapping database of all parts of the Netherlands under its jurisdiction and faced the challenge of ensuring the information it collects is always up-to-date.

Case study:Digital Mapping Database, The Netherlands

Services:Our team delivered high-resolution imagery aerial surveys and mobile scanning services along with our partner, Kragten. We also developed innovative software solutions to convert and supply large volumes of data to the client.

Key benefits:In the past 20 years, we have been awarded many commissions to map large parts of the Dutch highway and waterway networks. The use of aerial imagery rather than field-based survey methods limited costs, minimised traffic disruption and reduced health and safety risks.

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The Highways Agency planned to upgrade one of the network’s busiest and most challenging junctions, the Almondsbury Interchange near Bristol, which receives traffic from the M4 and M5. The project team needed access to accurate and up-to-date topographic information to enable them to complete the design for a dynamic hard shoulder scheme.

Case study:Aerial Topographic Mapping, Bristol, UK

Services:Photo control was installed at 300m intervals outside the motorway boundary and all data was extracted photogrammetrically. We were then able to check the mapped detail and add missing information from safe locations off the hard shoulder. A virtual reality (VR) model of the scheme was also developed.

Key benefits:Using high resolution aerial imagery of the site, we delivered within the deadline and without accessing the motorway or causing disruption to drivers. In addition, the data set was produced for less than the cost of traffic management, if the survey had been undertaken from the ground.

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› Land survey

› Geodetic survey

› Topographic survey

› Rail permanent-way survey

› Deformation monitoring

› Setting out

› Proving survey

› Drainage and underground services survey

Additional competencies

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We work closely with clients from different sectors and regions, and spanning the public and private sectors

› EDF Energy

› Highways England

› National Grid plc

› Network Rail

› Transport for London

› Associated British Ports

Please note: This list is for example only and does not represent every client that Atkins is currently working with.

Clients & sectors

TransportationConstructionMiningEnergyUtilitiesPropertyHeritage

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We are trusted partners to world-leading organisations and we are committed to maintaining high standards of service. Our in-house production and quality assurance procedures include checks at all stages of a project from data capture through to delivery. We also pride ourselves on meeting or exceeding wider industry expectations. Our team upholds the standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES) and The Survey Association (TSA).

We also assure our clients that their data is being managed appropriately. We hold ISO27001 certification, and meet TickITplus and the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials Plus standards.

Our values

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