Browse Topic: Photogrammetry

Items (51)
ABSTRACT
Sirohi, JayantHeuschneider, VerenaBerghammer, FlorianAbdelmoula, AmineHajek, Manfred
A new measurement capability was created by combining photogrammetry and metrology techniques to accurately measure one half of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy museum. The challenges imposed by the fuselage and surrounding environment at Udvar-Hazy were overcome by careful application of photogrammetry and metrology techniques. Data analyses and processing included the use of multiple reverse engineering programs to accurately generate a complete 3-dimensional water-tight geometry of the aircraft and rotor blade. This paper describes the photogrammetry and metrology measurement systems, technology and hardware set-up, data analysis and processing methods, future work, and lessons learned. In addition, selected measurement results of the fuselage and rotor blade are presented.
Cummings, HaleyDominguez, MichelleSolis, EduardoSilva, ChristopherBowman, BelenBurek, Shirley
Analysis of Dashcam Video for Determination of Vehicle Speed2020-01-08774/14/2020
Using dashcam video footage to extract reliable vehicle speed data can be challenging when the only available image stream comes from a camera whose optical parameters are unknown. One means of overcoming such difficulties uses visible landmarks and features within the video frame whose dimensions can be independently measured. While good results have been obtained by others using a Total Station or LiDAR to physically measure locations for such purposes, this approach could prove difficult if a site of interest is inaccessible (e.g. on a busy highway that cannot be shut down) or if relevent features of the target location have changed (e.g. due to construction or even restriping of lanes lines). As an alternative to direct scene measurement, it is proposed that measurement of features visible in overhead satellite images be used to dimension relevant features visible in the video. In this work, videos from individual dashcams and phone-based cameras were used to calculate average vehicle speed by tracking individual features as they pass through and then exit the image frame. Because the features used herein are limited to periodically-occurring markings such as lane lines, average vehicle speed is calculated based solely on distances referenced to these features as well as video frame rate. Although limited in scope, a major advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need for camera calibration, because only one small patch of the image frame is used for the average speed calculation. In this study, selected video sequences were used to calculate vehicle speed at speeds ranging from 16 - 65 mph, with results corresponding to the vehicle’s speedometer display for all but the lowest frame rates.
Leifer, JackMarquez, Alvaro
The Placement of Digitized Objects in a Point Cloud as a Photogrammetric Technique09-06-02-00078/8/2018
The frequency of video-capturing collision events from surveillance systems are increasing in reconstruction analyses. The video that has been provided to the investigator may not always include a clear perspective of the relevant area of interest. For example, surveillance video of an incident may have captured a pre- or post-incident perspective that, while failing to capture the precise moment when the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, still contains valuable information that can be used to assist in reconstructing the incident. When surveillance video is received, a quick and efficient technique to place the subject object or objects into a three-dimensional environment with a known rate of error would add value to the investigation. In addition, once the objects have been placed into the three-dimensional environment, the investigator would then be able to observe the physical evidence and environment from any perspective, including viewing and measuring what cannot be seen in the video perspective. In this research, the proposed photogrammetric technique of visually placing objects within three-dimensional laser scans will be evaluated. This research aims to quantify the rate of error of taking measurements of these objects to known fixed reference points both in and out of view of the camera, and provide an efficient technique that can be employed by reconstructionists using only one software package. As a result of this research, the authors have developed an expedient, less time-intensive photogrammetric technique for the placement of three-dimensionally scanned objects and environments. This technique can take less than half of the time of a conventional photogrammetric solution.
Harrington, ShawnLebak, Gabriel
Determining Position and Speed through Pixel Tracking and 2D Coordinate Transformation in a 3D Environment2016-01-14784/5/2016
This paper presents a methodology for determining the position and speed of objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists that are visible in video footage captured with only one camera. Objects are tracked in the video footage based on the change in pixels that represent the object moving. Commercially available programs such as PFTracktm and Adobe After Effectstm contain automated pixel tracking features that record the position of the pixel, over time, two dimensionally using the video’s resolution as a Cartesian coordinate system. The coordinate data of the pixel over time can then be transformed to three dimensional data by ray tracing the pixel coordinates onto three dimensional geometry of the same scene that is visible in the video footage background. This paper explains the automated process of first tracking pixels in the video footage, and then remapping the 2D coordinates onto three dimensional geometry using previously published projection mapping and photogrammetry techniques. The results of this process are then compared to VBOX recordings of the objects seen in the video to evaluate the accuracy of the method. Some beneficial aspects of this process include the time reduced in tracking the object, since it is automated, and also that the shape and size of the object being tracked does not need to be known since it is a pixel being tracked, rather than the geometry of the object itself.
Neale, William T.Hessel, DavidKoch, Daniel
Tensile Test for Polymer Plastics with Extreme Large Elongation Using Quad-Camera Digital Image Correlation2016-01-04184/5/2016
Polymer plastics are widely used in automotive light weight design. Tensile tests are generally used to obtain material stress-strain curves. Due to the natural of the plastic materials, it could be elongated more than several hundred percent of its original length before breaking. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) Analysis is a precise, full field, optical measurement method. It has been accepted as a practical in-field testing method by the industry. However, with the traditional single-camera or dual-camera DIC system, it is nearly impossible to measure the extreme large strain. This paper introduces a unique experimental procedure for large elongation measurement. By utilization of quad-camera DIC system and data stitch technique, the strain history for plastic material under hundreds percent of elongation can be measured. With a quad-camera DIC system, the correlation was conducted between two adjacent cameras. These four camera DIC system could obtain much wider test range without loss of measurement resolution. Moreover, a multiloading stage measurement procedure is developed to solve the painting peeling off problem due to the material large elongation. Between each loading stage, the tensile test machine is paused and the sample is re-painted before the paint peels off from the sample. The strain history for each loading stage is recorded and evaluated by the DIC system. Then the total strain history is calculated depending on the strain values during each loading stage. The basic principle of multi-camera DIC test system, technical challenges and its solution for the measurement of material under extreme large elongation as well as experimental plan and results are elaborately explained in this paper.
Xie, XinZeng, DanielleLi, JunruiDahl, JeffreyZhao, QianchengYang, Lianxiang
A Survey of Multi-View Photogrammetry Software for Documenting Vehicle Crush2016-01-14754/5/2016
Video and photo based photogrammetry software has many applications in the accident reconstruction community including documentation of vehicles and scene evidence. Photogrammetry software has developed in its ease of use, cost, and effectiveness in determining three dimensional data points from two dimensional photographs. Contemporary photogrammetry software packages offer an automated solution capable of generating dense point clouds with millions of 3D data points from multiple images. While alternative modern documentation methods exist, including LiDAR technologies such as 3D scanning, which provide the ability to collect millions of highly accurate points in just a few minutes, the appeal of automated photogrammetry software as a tool for collecting dimensional data is the minimal equipment, equipment costs and ease of use. This paper evaluates the accuracy and capabilities of four automated photogrammetry based software programs to accurately create 3D point clouds, by comparing the results to 3D scanning. Both a damaged and undamaged vehicle were documented with video and photographs and on average the damaged vehicle set returned more data points with higher accuracy than the undamaged vehicle set. Four cameras types were evaluated and more accurate results were achieved when using either a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera than when using a GoPro, or a cell phone camera. Photogrammetry data from video footage was analyzed and found to be both less accurate and to return less data than photographs. By limiting the number of photographs used, it was found that a photogrammetry solution could be achieved with as few as 16 photographs encircling a vehicle, but better results were reached with a larger number of photographs.
Terpstra, TobyVoitel, TiloHashemian, Alireza
ABSTRACT Two Transport Rotorcraft Airframe Crash Testbed (TRACT) full-scale tests were performed at NASA Langley Research Center's Landing and Impact Research Facility in 2013 and 2014. Two CH-46E airframes were impacted at 33-ft/s forward and 25-ft/s vertical combined velocities onto soft soil, which represents a severe, but potentially survivable impact scenario. TRACT 1 provided a baseline set of responses, while TRACT 2 included retrofits with composite subfloors and other crash system improvements based on TRACT 1. For TRACT 2, a total of 18 unique experiments were conducted to evaluate ATD responses, seat and restraint performance, cargo restraint effectiveness, patient litter behavior, and activation of emergency locator transmitters and crash sensors. Combinations of Hybrid II, Hybrid III, and ES-2 Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) were placed in forward and side facing seats and occupant results were compared against injury criteria. The structural response of the airframe was assessed based on accelerometers located throughout the airframe and using three-dimensional photogrammetric techniques. Analysis of the photogrammetric data indicated regions of maximum deflection and permanent deformation. The response of TRACT 2 was noticeably different in the longitudinal direction due to changes in the cabin configuration and soil surface, with higher acceleration and damage occurring in the cabin. Loads from ATDs in energy absorbing seats and restraints were within injury limits. Severe injury was likely for ATDs in forward facing passenger seats.
Annett, MartinLittell, Justin
Accuracy of SUAS Photogrammetry for Use in Accident Scene Diagramming2015-01-14264/14/2015
Photogrammetry from images captured by terrestrial cameras and manned aircraft has been used for many years to model objects, create scale diagrams and measure distances for use in traffic accident investigation and reconstruction. Due to increasing capability and availability, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including small UAS (SUAS), are becoming a valuable, cost effective tool for collecting aerial images for photogrammetric analysis. The metric accuracy of scale accident scene diagrams created from SUAS imagery has yet to be compared to conventional measurement methods, such as total station and laser measurement systems, which are widely used by public safety officials and private consultants. For this study, two different SUAS were used to collect aerial imagery for photogrammetric processing using PhotoModeler software. A high-resolution consumer grade camera as well as a lower-resolution integrated camera was used as payload to determine the effect of camera resolution on the photogrammetric accuracy of two mock accident scenes. Using a Nikon total station as measurement control, SUAS photogrammetry from both cameras was compared using established targets. As a subjective comparison, the roadway layout was measured without targets and the resultant diagrams were superimposed over the total station control. Results are analyzed and presented in tables and diagrams. The results show the photogrammetric measurement of an accident scene from SUAS aerial imagery provides measurements with errors well below generally accepted ranges for accident reconstruction.
Jurkofsky, Drew A.
The bundle adjustment, or more specifically, the colinearity math model it is based on, is undisputedly the most accurate method to perform 3D scene reconstruction from multiple images. It has been the gold standard since first developed in 1957–1959. The limitations of the method have motivated this investigation into how it could be improved.
An unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver for unstructured grids is loosely coupled to a rotorcraft comprehensive code and used to simulate two different test conditions from a wind-tunnel test of a full-scale UH-60A rotor. Performance data and sectional airloads from the simulation are compared with corresponding tunnel data to assess the level of fidelity of the aerodynamic aspects of the simulation. The focus then turns to a comparison of the blade displacements, both rigid (blade root) and elastic. Comparisons of computed root motions are made with data from three independent measurement systems. Finally, comparisons are made between computed elastic bending and elastic twist, and the corresponding measurements obtained from a photogrammetry system. Overall the correlation between computed and measured displacements was good, especially for the root pitch and lag motions and the elastic bending deformation. The correlation of root lead-lag motion and elastic twist deformation was less favorable.
Biedron, RobertLee-Rausch, Elizabeth
Video Projection Mapping Photogrammetry through Video Tracking2013-01-07884/8/2013
This paper examines a method for generating a scaled three-dimensional computer model of an accident scene from video footage. This method, which combines the previously published methods of video tracking and camera projection, includes automated mapping of physical evidence through rectification of each frame. Video Tracking is a photogrammetric technique for obtaining three-dimensional data from a scene using video and was described in a 2004 publication titled, “A Video Tracking Photogrammetry Technique to Survey Roadways for Accident Reconstruction” (SAE 2004-01-1221). That paper described a method for generating a three-dimensional computer model of a roadway by using video of a drive-through of an accident scene and processing this video footage through available video tracking software.1,2 The benefit of being able to drive through an accident scene to collect data lies in the speed of such a method, but also in safety, as some accident areas are too heavy with traffic, dangerous or otherwise inaccessible. Three-dimensional Camera Projection Mapping is a computer visualization technique of wrapping or mapping video or photographs onto three-dimensional geometry and adjusting the size and shape of the map so it follows the size and shape of the target objects. This rectification process results in a photo-realistic computer model that is accurate in detail, lighting and scale since it is built directly from the photograph. The result of adding the technology of video tracking with three-dimensional camera projection mapping is a scaled computer model of the accident scene that includes photographs of the evidence mapped onto the geometry at the correct scale and location - all from a single video drive-through. Developing both of these concepts into one method of Video Projection Mapping combines the ease of building a three-dimensional accident diagram from a video drive-through, with the accuracy and clarity of analyzing scaled photographic data.
Neale, William T.Marr, JamesHessel, David
The Accuracy of Photo-Based Three-Dimensional Scanning for Collision Reconstruction Using 123D Catch2013-01-07844/8/2013
An experiment was conducted to examine the validity of freely available photo-based 3D scanning software for generating accurate 3D geometry of a vehicle. Currently, 3D vehicle geometry is routinely captured using total station survey equipment, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), laser scanning, or traditional point-based photogrammetry. While these methods produce sufficiently accurate results for collision reconstruction, they have limitations that can affect practical implementation. For example, manual surveying with a total station, CMM or traditional photogrammetry are all limited to the production of coordinate data at discrete, pre-defined points. In addition, total stations, CMMs and laser scanning devices are also expensive and require a significant amount of time in the field with the vehicle. In contrast, photo-based 3D scanning allows a 3D mesh to be created of a vehicle simply from a series of photographs using a consumer-grade digital camera. In this experiment, a vehicle was marked with point targets and photographed. The coordinates of the targets were then measured using: 1) A total station; 2) Traditional photogrammetry software; and 3) Photo-based 3D scanning software. The coordinates of the targets on the vehicle model produced through the photo-based scanning process were compared with the target positions measured via total station and traditional photogrammetry. The mean deviation between corresponding points on the photo-based scanning model and the traditional photogrammetric model was 3.2 ± 1.8 mm. The mean coordinate deviation between the photo-based scanning model and the total station data ranged between 3.4 ± 1.4 mm and 6.3 ± 3.1 mm.
Erickson, Mark S.Bauer, Jeremy J.Hayes, Wilson C.
A Close-Range Photogrammetric Solution Working with Zoomed Images from Digital Cameras2012-01-06124/16/2012
Close-range photogrammetry (CRP) is traditionally based on a network captured with the camera lens at a fixed focal length. A zoom lens is not desirable without solving the intrinsic camera parameters for varying focal length and lens distortion. When using a zoom lens camera, multiple focal lengths can be used if the camera is calibrated for each varying focal length, but most consumer grade lenses are not designed to accurately return to (or stay at) mid-range focal lengths. Similarly, using close-range photogrammetric software systems to accurately recover three-dimensional (XYZ) data from Point and Shoot (PAS) digital cameras has been problematic when the images were not intended for CRP. PAS cameras are automatically refocused and easily zoomed so the focal length and lens distortion are typically unknown for CRP mensuration purposes. In such circumstances, traditional CRP analysis can be both laborious and difficult without the correct camera parameters. Previously a CRP network involving imagery with unknown focal lengths, required identifying control points to back-calculate the camera's inner orientation and camera aim for each image. This paper describes a new tool capable of accurately and efficiently determining the focal length, principal point offsets and lens distortion for zoomed imagery of consumer grade digital cameras throughout the full telephoto zoom range. This new computational algorithm, called Zoom-Dependent (Z-D) calibration, ensures all zoomed images are usable for mensuration within a traditionally accomplished photogrammetric network. The Z-D process is described, the requirements of a suitable network are also described, and the Z-D results demonstrated on small scale (vehicle) and large scale (pavement) networks. Two Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras and several PAS cameras are compared to a control network captured with an off-the-shelf consumer grade DSLR camera that had been metrically calibrated.
DeChant, LeeKinney, John R.
Close-Range Photogrammetry with Laser Scan Point Clouds2012-01-06074/16/2012
Close range photogrammetry involves the determination of spatial information about objects in photographs within 300 meters of the camera's focal plane. The application of close range photogrammetry to vehicular accident reconstruction has grown exponentially in the past two decades because of its obvious advantage: it offers a cost and time effective, nonintrusive means to document the three-dimensional data pertinent to an accident. Using high resolution digital images in conjunction with control points and constraints from three-dimensional survey data has proven to be an effective way to reconstruct vehicle damage and scene evidence when the physical inspections are not viable. Advances in land surveying technology have introduced High Definition Laser Scanning (HDS) - a process that results in vast data sets of millions of points, referred to as point clouds. Individual points can be colored based on a variety of criterion, including surface reflectivity spectrum or a photo texture map that the scanner projects onto the data set. Using high resolution accident scene images with common points in the HDS laser scan provides a very rapid method for locating, measuring, and presenting physical evidence that no longer exists on scene, in a 3D photorealistic environment. The accuracy of this technique is comparable to results from widely used photogrammetry software with surveyed data from a total station. A specific hypothetical case was constructed using measurement data and quality reduced reference images to compare and contrast the HDS and total station based methods of photo rectification and evidence location.
Callahan, Michael AndrewLeBlanc, BeauVreeland, ReganBretting, Gerald
Human Cervical Motion Segment Flexibility and Facet Capsular Ligament Strain Under Combined Posterior Shear, Extension and Axial Compression2000-01-SC1211/1/2000
The cervical facet capsular ligaments are thought to be an important anatomical site of whiplash injury, although the mechanism by which these structures may be injured during whiplash remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to quantify the intervertebral flexibility and maximum principal strain in the facet capsular ligament under combined shear, bending and compressive loads similar to those which occur during whiplash loading. Two motion segments (C3-4 and C5-6) from seven female donors (50 ± P 10 years) were exposed to quasi-static posterior shear loads of 135 N applied to the superior vertebra on four occasions while under compressive axial preloads of 0 N, 45 N, 197 N and 325 N. Vertebral body motions and the full Lagrangian strain field in the right facet capsular ligament were measured using stereophotogrammetry. After flexibility testing, the right facet joint of each motion segment was isolated and failed in posterior shear. Differences in the kinematic response of the vertebrae and maximum principal strain in the capsular ligaments under the four axial preloads were tested using repeated-measures ANOVA''s for each load step. Although significant differences were observed at two axial load levels in the kinematic sequence (197 N and 325 N), neither the regressed flexibility nor the maximum principal strain in the facet capsular ligament varied significantly with axial compression (p >0.14). Maximum principal strain during the flexibility tests reached 61 ± 33 percent of the maximum principal strain observed in sub-catastrophic failures of the isolated joints. Two of the thirteen specimens reached strains in their flexibility tests which were larger than their corresponding strains at sub-catastrophic failure in the failure tests. These results suggest that the cervical facet capsular ligaments may be injured under combined shear, bending and compression load levels that occur in rear-end impacts.
Siegmund, GunterMyers, Barry S.
A system which can remotely measure detailed deformations of vehicle structures during crush events was developed. The system uses ordinary video or 16 mm high speed movie to capture the crush event. This information is digitized and analyzed using personal computers to perform photogrammetric manipulations which yield accurate surface geometries. The output is useful for comparison to computer simulations. This paper presents preliminary results regarding the accuracy of this system.
Karvelis, Albert V.Rogers, Michael W.Anderson, Carl E.Liubinskas, Aldis
Given two or more photos of an accident vehicle (non-stereo pairs such as police photos) an estimate of the deformation (crush) of the vehicle may be obtained by application of camera reverse-projection, using two or more cameras and an exemplar vehicle. A single camera technique familiar to accident scene investigators is modified for this application. The methodology is described within the context of an experiment comparing results obtained by camera reverse projection to actual measured crush. A method of displaying crush results known as “displacement vectors” is presented and examples are illustrated. The technique has been found useful for measurement of 3-dimensional crush. This paper describes the two-image camera reverse-projection method, for determining automotive, accident-caused crush; procedures for applying this method including insights from the authors practical experiences; and a case-study example where results obtained from this method were compared to actual crush measurements.
Woolley, Ronald L.White, Karen A.Asay, Alan F.Bready, Jon E.
This paper describes how a photogrammetric analysis computer program entitled FOTOGRAM™ is used with a personal computer. The FOTOGRAM program was described in a paper entitled “Photogrammetric Analysis Using the Personal Computer” by Brelin, Cichowski, and Holcomo.(1)* The technique described herein utilizes field examples to show how skid mark data are extracted from photographs using manual as well as electronic digitization methods. The digitized photographic data are then converted with the FOTOGRAM computer program into ‘real-world’ data points that may be plotted on a collision scene schematic. Thus, the actual path of the vehicle during skidding and/or tire marking can be determined for use in reconstructing the accident.
Grimes, Wesley D.Culley, Charles H.Cromack, J. Robert
Accurate documentation of traffic accidents is a prerequisite for accident research as well as traffic jurisdiction. As an important part of accident documentation, stereo-photogrammetry is recognised to be an excellent tool for providing accurate and complete scaled maps of accident scenes. However, due to its relatively high expense, it is usually only applied in cases of severe accidents. In contrast, single-view photogrammetry which is based on photographs taken with “non-metric” cameras and on on-the-job calibration requires little installation at the accident scene and provides adequate accuracy, because camera calibration and plotting of scaled maps can be performed by making use of computer-assisted image analysis. As the method basically consists in a simple perspective rectification single-view photogrammetry as such is restricted to plane accident sites. In this paper the method is demonstrated and its accuracy discussed. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE documentation of traffic accidents is the basis of accident research and analysis. Likewise, it is important for traffic jurisdiction. The documentation should usually include a sketch of the accident site where the positions of the involved vehicles, associated skid marks, all relevant distances and other details of importance are documented. Ideally, such a sketch is a scaled map, typically 1:100, and is produced with the aid of stereophotogrammetric methods, which warrant the desired accuracy. Accordingly, the city police of Zurich introduced stereophotogrammetry as a routine tool for accident documentation purposes as early as 1934 (1)*. Apart from its value for accident jurisdiction, stereophotogrammetry proved to be indispensible for a reliable accident reconstruction and analysis. While the precision of stereophotogrammetry as applied today is unrivalled by other methods, a disadvantage exists in its relative expense such that in minor accidents where minimal legal consequences are expected its application is not justified. Yet, the analysis of such accidents is often particularly significant in accident research, e. g. when biomechanical tolerance limits are the subject of research. In most cases, however, 35mm photographs are taken. The question therefore arises, to what degree quantitative information can be recovered from a single planar view. With the availability of inexpensive, small and easy-to-use image analysis hardware, the possibility of producing scaled accident sketches from a single photograph was investigated. From a single planar view, of course, a true spatial reconstruction of a scene is not possible without having further information. In most cases, however, an accident site can be assumed to be, at least piecewise, planar with sufficient accuracy. Under these circumstances, the photogram-metric problem reduces to a simple perspective rectification because linearity of the mapping can be assumed for all practical purposes with present photographic equipment. In this paper, the single-view photogrammatric method is presented, its accuracy and limitations discussed and a typical example is demonstrated.
Niederer, PeterBirchler, BernhardMesqui, FrançoisLehareinger, Yves
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