Overview: A Modern Approach to Highway Ramp Design
In a bid to upgrade critical infrastructure, SimActive Inc. is enabling a highway ramp expansion project through its Correlator3D photogrammetry software. The solution is being used by Settimio Consulting Services (SCS) to generate high-precision terrain models by combining lidar data with traditional imagery. This integrated approach supports safer, more economical decisions during the design phase of complex highway expansions.
Integrated Lidar and Photogrammetry: Why It Matters
Highway ramp projects require accurate terrain models to manage grading, drainage, alignment, and earthworks. By merging lidar point clouds with high-resolution imagery, Correlator3D delivers robust surface reconstructions and reliable control networks. The dual-source data approach helps reduce uncertainties that often arise when relying on a single data type, enabling engineers to validate topographic features and minimize project risk.
From Data to Decision: The Engineering Impact
Settimio Consulting Services processes imagery captured by a Leica TerrainMapper-2 sensor within Correlator3D. The workflow integrates lidar-derived elevations into the aerial triangulation, tying the computed surface directly into the solution. The result is a sequence of precise terrain models that engineers can trust for critical decisions about ramp alignment, earthwork quantities, and drainage design. As Kyler Whittenberger, Photogrammetry Manager at SCS, notes, the software’s ability to create a reference ortho from lidar points strengthens the overall solution and adds robustness to the dataset.
Why This Collaboration Stands Out
This project demonstrates how photogrammetry software can elevate civil engineering outcomes when used in tandem with lidar technology. The combined workflow supports:
- Higher accuracy terrain models for ramp alignments and gradients
- Improved consistency between survey control and design surfaces
- Enhanced data reliability for critical decision points in the design process
- Efficient integration of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and mobile lidar data with imagery
About the Partners
Settimio Consulting Services, Inc. (SCS) is a woman-owned, DBE-certified firm specializing in lidar, photogrammetry, GIS, land surveying, and remote sensing solutions. Since its inception in March 2009, SCS has built a track record of delivering quality mapping services for federal, state, county, and DOT projects. The company emphasizes cost-effective, innovative mapping that serves Engineers, Surveyors, Scientists, and GIS professionals. SCS leverages strategic partnerships to offer end-to-end photogrammetry and remote sensing services, including the integration of Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and Mobile LIDAR with imagery technology for rapid, accurate project performance at scales ranging from small to large.
About the Technology
Correlator3D by SimActive is a leading photogrammetry platform used worldwide for producing precise 3D models from imagery and laser scanning data. The software’s capability to incorporate lidar-derived surfaces into aerial triangulation workflows positions it as a versatile tool for infrastructure, transportation, and urban planning projects. By enabling robust reference surfaces created from lidar data, Correlator3D helps engineers reduce risk and accelerate design validation.
For More Information
To learn more about Settimio Consulting Services and their lidar-photogrammetry workflow, visit www.scs-mapping.com. For information about SimActive’s Correlator3D and its applications in civil infrastructure, visit the company’s official site or contact their regional teams.
