Engineering Inc. - Spring 2020 - 39

MULTI PROJECT

DIGITAL SURVEYING EXTENDS PLANE TRAIN
PROJECT: HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, PLANE TRAIN EXTENSION, PHASE I ATLANTA
FIRM: GPI GEOSPATIAL, INC. ATLANTA
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Riegl VZ400i
simultaneously
capturing imagery
and LIDAR for 3D
modeling of the
Plane Train platform.

GPI GEOSPATIAL, INC.

tlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was
already the world's busiest when the city launched a $6
billion improvement plan in 2016 to further increase
capacity. The multiyear design-build project includes
extending the western portion of the automated Plane Train that
carries people between terminals.
Before construction could begin, however, the city's design
build team, CAT JV, contracted with GPI Geospatial, Inc.,
(GPI) to perform a Building Information Modeling survey.
Although GPI's services include multiple types of intricate
digital surveying, the firm's team had to contend with several
logistical issues on the project.
"One of our largest challenges was working inside secure areas,
which meant limiting our work hours from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., so
that we would not interfere with the airport's daytime staff and
passengers," says Allen Brock, vice
president of business development at GPI.
In order to maximize its
limited time, the GPI team added
a second crew. That necessitated
the purchase of a second static
scanner to collect the highdensity LIDAR data and imagery
needed to create the 3D model
of the building's interior, including multiple floors and interior
rooms, as well as a utility corridor
ALLEN BROCK
above the existing Plane Train.
Vice President,
"Another challenge was commuBusiness Development
GPI Geospatial, Inc.
nicating and coordinating with
airport security personnel when
the scanning crews were working in certain areas," Brock says.
For example, airport personnel had to let GPI crews in and
out of the areas and remove ceiling tiles so the crews could scan
piping and conduits.
GPI custom-built a mobile mount for the scanners, allowing
them to reduce time between scan position changes and to optimize field productivity and increase equipment mobility.
"We also had to set up our own lighting to capture still images
in dark rooms and areas with heavy shadows," Brock says.
Once the scanning was complete, the level of development
300 model was created. It contained detailed modeling of the
building's architectural and structural elements, including interior and exterior walls, windows, stairs, escalators and elevator
features, columns, slabs, beams, furniture, HVAC, water, sewer,
communication, lighting, power, and other visible features.
Besides the Plane Train extension project, the model can be used
for future design needs and constructability reviews.
GPI completed its work ahead of schedule, finishing the job
in about a month.

"It speaks to the efficiency of the crews and our ability to
coordinate with airport personnel-being a partner and not a
hindrance," Brock says.
The takeaway for GPI was the opportunity to expand the
firm's expertise in this specialized service.
"We always learn something from every project to improve
our processes going forward," Brock says. ■
Bob Woods is a technology and business writer based in Madison,
Connecticut.

SPRING 2020 ENGINEERING INC.

Engineering Inc. - Spring 2020

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