Collaborative Research: Facility Support to Establish and Operate the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM)

0236720 Shresta也称为光探测和测距（LIDAR），机载激光测绘（ALSM）允许以分米级精度测量表面地形特征。 非常高分辨率的地理参考数字高程模型（DEM）的发展，获得使用ALSM，是至关重要的，观察大量的地貌特征，在适当的尺度上的基本过程，管理他们的地形表达。 例子包括断层结构、山坡、河流特征、海岸带形态、冰川、火山大厦和植被冠层结构。 从这些数据开发的DEM可以用来模拟和更好地了解这些地貌的动态。 这项技术在土木工程中也有明显的应用，这项赠款为国家航空激光测绘中心（NCALM）的管理和运作提供了两年的支持。 作为合作努力的一部分，佛罗里达大学（UF; CN-0236720）和加州大学伯克利分校（UC-B; CN-0236606）将提供教师领导，技术支持和计算资源和软件，使更广泛的地球科学界，研究级，数字地形数据与ALSM获得。 NCALM将向更广泛的社区提供使用UF现有的Optech 33 kHz脉冲率ALSM系统，该系统可以在配备GPS设备和惯性定位系统的UF双引擎塞斯纳飞机上飞行。 NCALM将协助研究人员为具体研究项目设计、编制预算和进行ALSM调查，以最大限度地利用所获得的数据。 其他目标包括：（1）推进由于ALSM而可能实现的技术和科学发现;（2）跟踪和评估可能补充ALSM的其他遥感技术，并开发多传感器数据收集和融合的方法;以及（3）为学生提供培训场所。 NCALM还将通过支持指导委员会和年度社区讲习班，支持社区参与该设施的管理。 常设委员会将在以下方面提供指导和审查：1）项目的时间安排和优先次序; 2）中心的成本效益管理; 3）信息传播; 4）技术升级的机会和必要性;以及5）与主要计划（PBO、CUASHI、Margins等）的联系和协调。和机构（NASA，FEMA，USGS和其他机构）。该NCALM ALSM教育计划将包括：1）每年夏季津贴开放给研究生提供实践经验与ALSM数据减少在UC-B; 2）年度社区研讨会，向学生和科学家介绍ALSM提供的机会; 3）在UF的研究生科学和工程研究的平行机会的发展;（4）实施访问科学家/学生计划。

0236720ShresthaAlso know as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), Airborne Laser Swath Mapping (ALSM) allows for the measurement of surface topographic features with decimeter-level accuracies. The development of very high resolution georeferenced digital elevation models (DEMs) acquired using ALSM, are critical for observing a multitude of geomorphic features at scales appropriate to the fundamental processes that govern their topographic expression. Examples include, fault structures, hill slopes, riverine features, coastal zone morphology, glaciers, volcanic edifices and vegetative canopy structure. The DEMs developed from these data can be used to model and better understand the dynamics of these landforms. The technique also has obvious applications in civil engineering.This grant provides support for the management and operation of a National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) over a period of two years. A part of a collaborative effort , the University of Florida (UF; EAR-0236720) and the University of California - Berkeley (UC-B; EAR-0236606) will provide faculty leadership, technical support, and the computational resources and software to make available to the broader geosciences community, research-grade, digital topographic data acquired with ALSM. NCALM will make available to the broader community, the use of an existing Optech 33 kHz pulse rate ALSM system at UF that can be flown on a UF twin engine Cessna aircraft equipped with GPS equipment and an inertial positioning system. NCALM will assist researchers in the design, budgeting and conduct of ALSM surveys for specific research projects in order to maximize the scientific utility of the acquired data. Additional goals include 1) advancing both the technology and the scientific discoveries made possible as a consequence of ALSM; 2) tracking and evaluating other remote sensing technologies that might complement ALSM, and developing methods for multi-sensor data collection and fusion; and 3) providing a training ground for students. NCALM will also support community involvement in the management of the facility through support of a steering committee (SC) and annual community workshops. The SC will provide guidance and review on the following: 1) scheduling and prioritizing projects; 2) cost effective management of the Center; 3) information dissemination; 4) opportunities and necessities for technological upgrades; and 5) contact and coordination with major programs (PBO, CUASHI, Margins, etc.) and agencies (NASA, FEMA, USGS, and other agencies). The NCALM ALSM educational program will include: 1) an annual summer stipend open to a graduate student to provide hands-on experience with ALSM data reduction at UC-B; 2) annual community workshops to introduce students and scientists to the opportunities offered by ALSM; 3) the development of parallel opportunities for both science and engineering research for graduate students at UF; and 4) the implementation of a visiting scientist/student program.***