Concept of an Innovative System for Dimensioning and Predicting Changes in the Coastal Zone Topography Using UAVs and USVs (4DBatMap System)

Abstract

This publication is aimed at developing a concept of an innovative system for dimensioning and predicting changes in the coastal zone topography using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). The 4DBatMap system will consist of four components: 1. Measurement data acquisition module. Bathymetric and photogrammetric measurements will be carried out with a specific frequency in the coastal zone using a UAV equipped with a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS), Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and a photogrammetric camera, as well as a USV equipped with a GNSS Real Time Kinematic (RTK) receiver and a MultiBeam EchoSounder (MBES). 2. Multi-sensor geospatial data fusion module. Low-altitude aerial imagery, hydrographic and LiDAR data acquired using UAVs and USVs will be integrated into one. The result will be an accurate and fully covered with measurements terrain of the coastal zone. 3. Module for predicting changes in the coastal zone topography. As part of this module, a computer application will be created, which, based on the analysis of a time series, will determine the optimal method for describing the spatial and temporal variability (long-term trend and seasonal fluctuations) of the coastal zone terrain. 4. Module for imaging changes in the coastal zone topography. The final result of the 4DBatMap system will be a 4D bathymetric chart to illustrate how the coastal zone topography changes over time.