Steven Fernandez, MA, GISP, CCM.
The 91社区 College of Arts and Sciences鈥� Steven Fernandez, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs, has served as a source of knowledge and information for ESRI (ArcGIS)鈥攁 GIS software company specializing in interactive mapping tools鈥攆or the past two years, meeting with the company every few months to assist in improving their 3D products and provide knowledge on what he鈥檚 teaching in his lidar courses.
Now, they are using his work as examples of their company鈥檚 newest capabilities.
Lidar technology uses the light from a laser to collect measurements that can be used to create 3D models and maps of objects and environments.鈥�
鈥淟idar mapping involves laser scanning an object or landscape to get a high-resolution survey,鈥� Fernandez said.鈥�淟idar is used for flood mapping, forestry applications, urban design, self-driving vehicle operation, CGI in movies, and so much more.鈥�
He says that more than 350,000 organizations and businesses worldwide use this type of software.
鈥淭he knowledge that ESRI asked for our data to test on their software made us very proud of the work we are doing here at USF,鈥� he said.
One area that is using this type of technology is engineering and urban planning firms, Fernandez explained, which use the data to assist in planning, designing, and constructing the built and natural environment.
鈥淕eospatial technology companies are becoming larger every day, due to the increased need for location-based services.鈥疶his includes data collected from lidar,鈥� he said.
Fernandez鈥檚 lidar course aims to equip students with the skills they will need to enter these fields.
鈥淲e think this course is a one of a kind here in the U.S.,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have not been able to find a course like it at any of the universities that have lidar in their curriculum. This course is also unique in that it is different every year. The sites that we scan are of a different structure each summer.鈥�
Screenshot of a terrestrial lidar point cloud in an ArcGIS Web Scene. This 3D data was used to show off the software鈥檚 increased point density rendering. (Photo courtesy of Steven Fernandez)
Fernandez鈥檚 students have assisted a variety of organizations with lidar data collection including Hillsborough County (Ybor Casitas), HART (streetcars), City of Tampa (Union Station and De Soto Community Center), Lee鈥檚 Grocery, and New World Brewery.
鈥淎nyone with a thirst for technology and mapping is welcome to enroll,鈥� he said. 鈥淣o previous mapping courses are required, just a knowledge of how to use a Windows computer. We usually work in harsh conditions at industrial sites, in the middle of city streets or railroads, historical buildings, docks etc. Most sites are outdoors, so we also work in the heat of May and have to navigate the 91社区 storms while working.鈥�
Fernandez is working on securing next summer鈥檚 site location but encourages all interested to join the course.
鈥淟idar technology is the next big game changer in mapping,鈥� Fernandez said. 鈥淛ust like GPS was in the 1990s. There are so many possibilities for future maps. It鈥檚 going to change our lives.鈥�