ALDOT Employs SimActive Software and Drone Imagery for Swift Tornado Recovery

In the wake of a devastating tornado that swept through the southwest portion of Selma, Alabama, earlier this year, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) turned to SimActive Inc., a renowned developer of photogrammetry software, to aid in the efficient assessment of the damage. Utilizing SimActive’s Correlator3D software, ALDOT processed over 18,000 drone images within a remarkable 24-hour timeframe, delivering crucial digital surface models and orthomosaics for comprehensive damage assessment.

“Time is critical when responding to disasters like this one,” emphasized JD D’Arville, UAS Program Administrator at ALDOT. “SimActive’s Correlator3D allows us to process huge datasets rapidly and distribute them to the many groups that need the data.”

SimActive’s Correlator3D is a patented end-to-end photogrammetry solution renowned for its speed and efficiency in generating high-quality geospatial data. The software performs aerial triangulation (AT) and produces dense digital surface models (DSM), digital terrain models (DTM), point clouds, orthomosaics, 3D models, and vectorized 3D features. Fueled by cutting-edge GPU technology and multi-core CPUs, Correlator3D ensures unparalleled processing speed, enabling the swift production of large datasets—a crucial factor in the aftermath of natural disasters.

ALDOT, the Alabama Department of Transportation, plays a pivotal role in statewide transportation across various modes. Formed in 2016, ALDOT’s UAS department, equipped with seven centrally located drone pilots, operates primarily fixed-wing drones and is on track to complete over 4,300 missions this year, showcasing the agency’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for effective disaster response.

The collaboration between ALDOT and SimActive not only underscores the critical role of technology in disaster recovery but also highlights the growing significance of drone data in rapidly assessing and responding to the aftermath of natural disasters. As climate-related events become more frequent and severe, the use of advanced photogrammetry software emerges as an invaluable tool for informed decision-making and efficient recovery efforts.

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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

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