No abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have technical capabilities to extended usage in various fields of science. The existing UAVs are to be relatively easily accessible in the near future. It is possible to equip them with different sensors but there are still some usage limitations. This paper focuses on demonstrating UAVs usage for research in polar regions. The research in polar regions is very specific and, due to harsh climate, limits the field work with UAVs. The options and limitations are presented in a case study performed in the Nordenskiöldbreen area, Svalbard Archipelago. In the end some derived products suitable for further analysis are presented.

Commission VI, WG VI/4 KEY WORDS: 3D visualization, interaction, human computer interaction, user issues, touch screen. ABSTRACT:The use of both 3D visualization and devices with touch displays is increasing. In this paper, we focused on the Web technologies for 3D visualization of spatial data and its interaction via touch screen gestures. At the first stage, we compared the support of touch interaction in selected JavaScript libraries on different hardware (desktop PCs with touch screens, tablets, and smartphones) and software platforms. Afterward, we realized simple empiric test (within-subject design, 6 participants, 2 simple tasks, LCD touch monitor Acer and digital terrain models as stimuli) focusing on the ability of users to solve simple spatial tasks via touch screens. An in-house testing web tool was developed and used based on JavaScript, PHP, and X3DOM languages and Hammer.js libraries. The correctness of answers, speed of users' performances, used gestures, and a simple gesture metric was recorded and analysed. Preliminary results revealed that the pan gesture is most frequently used by test participants and it is also supported by the majority of 3D libraries. Possible gesture metrics and future developments including the interpersonal differences are discussed in the conclusion.

We tried to verify the concept of Structure from Motion method for measuring the volume of snow cover in a grid of 100×100 m located in Adventdalen, Central Svalbard. As referencing method we utilized 121 depth measurements in one hectare area. Using avalanche probe a snow depth was measured in mentioned 121 nodes of the grid. We detected maximum snow depth of 2.05 m but snowless parts as well. From gathered depths’ data we geostatistically (ordinary kriging) interpolated snow surface model which we used to determine reference volume of snow at research plot (5 569 m3). As a result, we were able to calculate important metrics and analyze topography and spatial distribution of snow cover at the plot. For taking photos for Structure from Motion method, bare pole in hands with a camera mounted was used. We constructed orthomosaic of research plot.

Traffic accident documentation worldwide is generally done by conventional methods (e.g., surveying wheel and steel tapeline) followed by sketch and plan creation. These conventional methods are time-consuming and inaccurate; therefore, they can possibly be replaced by advanced modern methods, using the remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) for obtaining data, as well as the structure from motion (SfM) for processing. For the proof of concept, we designed and performed an experiment using low-cost multi-rotor RPAS on an arranged traffic accident involving three cars. The result of this experiment was an accurate 3D model with the possibility of precise measurement. The differences in distances and reference objects’ dimensions were in general below 1% compared to real values. The presented method is time-saving (requiring 85% less time), more precise, and more efficient compared to conventional methods. Moreover, it allows better data reusability, thus is very suitable and can be recommended for usage in routine situations in traffic accident documentation.