ROCK Ultra – Stillwell Construction Site
Aug 12, 2025
This dataset demonstrates the ROCK Ultra's ability to safely and efficiently map complex industrial and construction environments. Captured by D.C. Johnson & Associates, this 77-acre site features a prominent grain silo, showcasing how high-altitude LiDAR flights can eliminate risks while delivering crisp, survey-grade data.
Flying high and fast, the Ultra captured comprehensive detail on both the ground features and the tall vertical structures, providing a complete and accurate 3D model without complex flight planning or risk of collision.
Mission Overview
- Platform: Aerial survey with ROCK Ultra
- Flight Altitude: ~120+ m (well above the silo)
- Flight Speed: ~9 m/s (20 mph)
- Area Scanned: 77 acres
- Deliverables: Survey-Grade Surface Model via ROCK Pro Services
Coverage & Context
The mission covered a mixed-use site that includes:
- An active construction area
- A tall grain silo and industrial structures
- Surrounding vegetation and pasture land
The primary challenge was to capture the entire site, including the tall silo, in a single, efficient mission without compromising safety or data quality.
Dataset Metadata
- Coordinate System (Horizontal): WGS 84 / UTM zone 17N
- Vertical Reference: Ellipsoid-based heights
Performance Highlights
- Enhanced Safety: Operating at over 120 meters AGL completely removed the risk of clipping obstacles like silos or transmission lines.
- High-Speed Efficiency: The entire 77-acre site was captured quickly at 9 m/s, streamlining fieldwork.
- Complete 3D Capture: The dataset provides a detailed and accurate model of tall industrial structures from a safe distance.
- Uncompromised Accuracy: Despite the high altitude and speed, the final deliverables maintain survey-grade precision.
Applications
This dataset is ideal for:
- Construction & As-Built Verification
- Industrial Site & Asset Management
- Topographic Surveying for Complex Environments
- Safety & Clearance Analysis
- Volumetric Calculations & Site Monitoring