The Talbot County Chamber Names AXIS GeoSpatial Large Business of the Year

Easton, Maryland – AXIS GeoSpatial received the large business of the year award during the 2017 Talbot Chamber Business Awards Program at the Inn at Perry Cabin on August 24, 2017.

The Large Business of the Year award is awarded annually by the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, to firms with 25 or more employees and whose contributions to the county’s economy and quality of life are particularly noteworthy.  AXIS has ‘staying power’ in Easton Maryland for the past 16 years and continues growth, providing jobs to the local community and actively supporting community activities.

As a local company here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, AXIS and their team of Maryland companies were selected by the State of Maryland to provide digital, high-resolution aerial imagery for Maryland to use in Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems located in Emergency 911 centers and in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013 and currently has the statewide contract from 2014-2019.

AXIS fleet of aircraft combined with the latest camera and LIDAR sensor technology provides clients with hi-definition survey and mapping data to support a variety of applications such as, emergency management, public works, planning and zoning, transportation assessment, homeland security, forestry, environmental needs and more.

In 2015, AXIS experienced continued revenue and profitability growth within land surveying and airborne acquisition divisions. This growth in sales between 2014 -2015 led to a 38% growth in hiring local employees. In 2016 AXIS purchased the Riegl LMS-Q1560 dual LiDAR channel airborne laser scanning system, and became the first U.S. based commercial firm to own this sensor, adding to their LiDAR and camera system fleet. Armed with the latest technology, AXIS growth plans include doubling current revenue by 2019 and an additional 50% growth by 2021. With these plans for continued growth and expansion, AXIS recently acquired 11,000 square feet of new office space in the Talbot Commerce Park.

Justin Lahman, President and CEO of AXIS said, “Born and raised in Talbot County, I’m honored to receive this award. This would not have possible without my business partner Dave Rorrer, the support of our families, the hard work and dedication from our staff and Shore United Bank.  Without their financial support since the beginning, it would've been very difficult (if not impossible) to grow to our current state.”

About AXIS Geospatial:

Founded in 2001, AXIS GeoSpatial LLC, a national geocapture firm, employs innovative remote-sensing and measurement technologies to capture geospatial data for integration into civil engineering, land surveying and GIS applications. AXIS is headquartered in Easton, Maryland with additional locations in Colorado, Delaware & New Jersey. During the past 15 years, AXIS has applied extensive, proven experience in producing high quality aerial imagery, LiDAR, CADD, GIS and other related geospatial datasets for civil engineering and government clients throughout the US and abroad.  For more information visit axisgeospatial.com, join us on LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @axisgeospatial.

For more information please call Erica Insley at 410-822-1441 or visit www.axisgeospatial.com.

AXIS' Director of Surveying Technologies to Present during HXGN LIVE 2017

AXIS' Director of Surveying Technologies, Bill Derry Prof LS will be providing a session next week during HXGN live on Modern Data Acquisition and Delivery.

Modern projects increasingly demand multi-disciplinary, integrated solutions, delivered in record time, after a competitive bidding process than invariably focuses on low cost rather than quality of data and a truly usable deliverable. The availability of technology offering push button solutions is a dangerous trend.

Modern projects increasingly demand multi-disciplinary, integrated solutions , delivered in record time, after a competitive bidding process than invariably focuses on low cost rather than quality of data and a truly usable deliverable. The availability of technology offering push button solutions is a dangerous trend, as a simple solution often comes at the cost of data quality, reliance on conversions and data that meshes poorly among its acquisition sources. Several projects will be discussed, focusing on collection and integration of data from echo sounders, terrestrial scanners, conventional and GNSS based positioning systems, airborne LiDAR and imagery sensors and in one case, simple manual measurements to overcome equipment performance that was seriously compromised by un-foreseeable site conditions. Key points of the discussion will include the need for clear, exacting identification of project horizontal and vertical datums, explicit delineation of work areas, confirmation of final deliverable formats and follow-up after delivery to ensure usability, regardless of client specifications, or lack of feedback. This last milestone is critical, as usability is not a function of competence, QA teams thoroughness, or even the strict attention to project specifications, an ISO process, or minimum technical standards. If the client can't use the data due to their own shortcomings, or struggles with the project, helping them recover from this situation goes a long way toward continuing a solid relationship with the client.

HxGN LIVE highlights the latest trends in geospatial and industrial enterprise information technologies, and fosters discussion, ideas and solutions towards creating a better, smarter world.

Click here for more information on this session and to register for this event next week.

Hi-Definition LiDAR: Coastal Projects to Consider

An increasing number of environmental engineering firms need standardized high-quality spatial information across various terrain to aid in environmental planning and design activities as well as to assess their impact.  Precise mapping of both elevation and vegetation dissemination's in salt marshes is imperative for conservation objectives.

Surface model

Over the past several years, AXIS has been providing clients with data fusion services using HD-LiDAR (airborne), terrestrial LiDAR, bathymetric and other land surveying services to meet clients objectives and project goals for various saltwater marshes and marina dredging projects.

HD-LiDAR 3D Point Cloud

Applications include:

• Beach studies
• Beaches mapped quickly at .05’ vertical
• Mitigates the need for ground-surveyed profiles
• Processed easily with in days of flight; not weeks
• HD-LiDAR profiles every 1’ along the beach
• Frequent monitoring for volumetric change-detection
• Rapid post-storm analysis

 To learn more visit our website or contact us to discuss best option for your next project.

Introducing the latest aircraft for surveying & mapping. From AXIS GeoSpatial LLC

Flying season is in full swing as AXIS adds a Piper Navajo for aerial surveying projects. Adding this aircraft to our fleet allows us to support aerial surveying and mapping project nationwide.

This was a good combination for AXIS as it’s fast enough for aerial imagery collection and also can be flown slower to allow for higher density LiDAR collection. In addition, the twin engine aircraft provides an extra level of safety allowing us to fly at low altitudes over urban areas or places where there are no airports to land if engine failure. 

Using aircraft equipped with remote sensing technologies, AXIS acquires, processes and delivers application-specific, high-resolution, high-accuracy geospatial data to both Government and Private Industry clients. to discuss your next aerial survey project.

to discuss your aerial photography needs.

AXIS Receives NJDOT Cost Basis Approval

AXIS GeoSpatial LLC has received Cost Basis Approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

Cost basis approval is part of the prequalification process and is required for both prime and sub-consultants.

Offering cutting edge spatial solutions for even the toughest transportation challenges, we are your surveying and mapping partner.  Connecting today, building the future.

We look forward to working with our New Jersey business partners on this and other transportation projects.

to discuss your next transportation project or

to see how fusing aerial and terrestrial LiDAR can provide Rail Overhead and Top of Rail elevation in addition to catenary data.

AXIS GeoSpatial LLC - Celebrating 15 Years in Talbot County Maryland

Easton, Maryland – AXIS Geospatial LLC has reached a milestone this November, celebrating 15 years of business. The company has grown from the visions of founders, Justin Lahman and Dave Rorrer, into a company with locations in three major U.S. cities and internationally.

AXIS readied itself for growth by implementing new processes, services while improving branding and increasing market penetration. Over the years, as technology evolved, improvements in aerial photography, computer software, and LiDAR have made the process more accurate, less cumbersome with the results more useful for clients. This expertise requires an investment which AXIS continues to maintain and support as an industry pioneer. Armed with the latest technology, AXIS growth plans include doubling current revenue by 2019 and an additional 50% growth by 2021.

AXIS GeoSpatial LLC Headquarters in Easton Maryland

As a local company here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, AXIS was selected by the State of Maryland to provide digital, high-resolution aerial imagery for use in all Emergency 911 centers and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013 and currently has the statewide contract from 2014-2019.

According to co-founder Dave Rorrer, “As a doer, learning to step back and manage the bigger picture as a manager has been challenging. Allowing our employees to do the job they were hired to do is required in order for growth and success to happen for everyone. We have been blessed with smart people helping along the way and could not have done it without them. We have always believed we could succeed.”

The biggest changes witnessed in the geospatial industry have been 100% technology driven. Advancements in LiDAR have, and will continue to, dramatically change any industry or profession requiring precision positional measurements. Miniaturization of, and exponential growth in, computing processing speed and storage capacity have contributed to these advancements. Processes that took months to complete in the past now takes days.

Aside from the forecasted growth outlined in the original business plan, the biggest operational changes within AXIS have been opening international production facilities, the creation of AXIS aviation and land surveying divisions. These operational expansions were not predicted or outlined in the original business plan 15 years ago. “I consider it a prime example of two elements required for success in business: adaption and exploitation”, says President & CEO Justin Lahman.

When asked what they see for the next 15 years, they stated other than standard corporate growth, look for more expansion at AXIS in the way of aviation, land surveying, UAS-related services and possibly civil engineering. There will be continued advancements in technologies used for data capture. Digital camera systems, Airborne and Aerial LiDAR systems, Drones and scanners will all continue to evolve and become more advanced allowing more work to be accomplished in a shorter amount of time with less man-hours required. Computer hardware and software systems used for manipulation and analyzation of data will also continue to change in order to keep up with data capture demands. Business will start relying on “the cloud” more and more for data storage and business operations.

Founded in 2001, AXIS GeoSpatial LLC, a national geocapture firm, employs innovative remote-sensing and measurement technologies to capture geospatial data for integration into civil engineering, land surveying and GIS applications. AXIS is headquartered in Easton, Maryland with additional locations in Colorado, Delaware & New Jersey. During the past 15 years, AXIS has applied extensive, proven experience in producing high quality aerial imagery, LiDAR, CADD, GIS and other related geospatial datasets for civil engineering and government clients throughout the US and abroad.

For more information please contact us.

CASE STUDY: Safely Surveying High Speed Rail Corridors

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

AXIS GeoSpatial LLC was selected to provide aerial LiDAR mapping and terrestrial LiDAR surveying services to support the preparation of a master plan and construction documents for a new rail station including utilities, parking lot, stormwater management, and full architectural and structural design of new ticket building, train platform, and pedestrian bridge.

Rail Overhead and Top of Rail elevation data was required to support the high speed rail corridor.  In addition to the top of rail and wire information, designers needed additional information at each catenary pole including the elevation of the guy wires at the catenary pole, the cross members between the catenary poles & the top of the catenary pole foundation. AXIS was contracted to provide supplemental survey data along a high speed passenger corridor, to include the location of catenary wires, towers and other features used to power passenger trains.

PROBLEM

Due to the narrow high speed rail corridor AXIS recognized from the outset the limited instrument set up locations. Through careful planning and execution, difficulties with control geometry were avoided. The remaining challenge was related to the narrow incidence angle of the laser scanner beam with some of the wires, this was mitigated by placing control to cover shorter spans of wires, and gathering both overlapping and redundant data from adjacent control points.

SOLUTION

To fulfill the client’s needs, AXIS deployed its Leica MS-50 robotic total station, which also has a high-definition (HD) laser scanner capability built into the instrument.

After orientation to the work area and railroad safety requirements, AXIS first located existing control points on each end of the area of interest. A control traverse was run through the work area as needed to connect to existing control points, and to establish control for the laser scanner data collection. AXIS used a combined workflow for the project, which meant that while the instrument was in place to set control, a second workflow for the laser scanner was initiated, eliminating the complicated logistics and multiple setups required if both a surveying instrument and a laser scanner were deployed on the project. The single occupation work flow also served to minimize errors in the dataset, which are introduced every time an instrument is setup or removed from a control point.

During the data collection workflow, separate conventional laser measurements were observed to selected features in the work area that were visible from adjacent control points. Positions of these features from all control points were compared and used to verify the integrity of the control points and laser scanner.

The full dataset was analyzed prior to delivery to the point cloud modeling team, ensuring the terrestrial data was fully valid, complete and geometrically sound before it was integrated into the airborne dataset. The fit of the terrestrial data into the airborne data without any adjustment proved the validity of both datasets, which were collected by radically different platforms and technologies, tied together by a common, high precision control network.

LESSONS LEARNED

When the terrestrial data was compared to airborne laser data, the redundantly collected data matched closely to the aerial data, independently confirming the quality of the entire dataset, while densifying and clarifying catenary and guy wire locations thus yielding a highly precise and accurate map of the entire work area. The use of a high precision control network and careful planning allowed a seamless point cloud to be developed for the client.

BENEFITS

The final deliverable was a high density point cloud showing the location of a large number of wires following different paths along a narrow corridor enabling the design team to analyze the paths of the wires as they crossed and re-crossed each other in different planes. Additionally, wires connecting the catenary wires to a transformer field, as well as unrelated power and transmission lines were located and modeled as they ran along the rail corridor or crossed it.

The project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget.

SERVICES

• Using a high speed, high precision terrestrial laser scanner, AXIS surveyed catenary wire locations and elevation data of the designated area
• Aerial and Terrestrial LiDAR Processing to classify and digitize catenary wires in the designated area
• Aerial and Terrestrial LiDAR Compilation for compiling individual catenary wires in the designated area
• Map Production / Final Edits of the catenary wires
• Project Management
• QA/QC

DELIVERABLES

• 2D & 3D Planimetric MicroStation Files