Choosing the right device is crucial if you need a 3D model of a city. Learn how the Orlando Downtown Development Board attracted local investments with the right high-resolution imagery.
The Orlando Downtown Development Board’s (ODDB) main goal is the revitalization and enhancement of Orlando’s downtown area. They aim to attract outside investment by showcasing the city’s progress in infrastructure, public transit, and beautification efforts. In order to accomplish this goal, they needed a 3D model of the city to show potential investors.
We followed the ODDB through their mobile mapping journey with the Mosaic 51 and highlighted their three key successes:
- They reduced their data capture time from 2 weeks to 3 days.
- They eliminated their need to recapture imagery. Mosaic 51 reliably captured all required imagery with accurate GNSS data, even in urban canyons and without corrupting data.
- Higher resolution images made for a happier, more satisfied end user of the collected imagery.
Challenges in creating a 3D model of Orlando
Before adopting the Mosaic 51 camera system, the ODDB faced significant challenges in accurately and efficiently capturing high-quality street view imagery. They initially used the NCTech iStar Pulsar, a well-known 360 camera, but were unsuccessful. It produced subpar imagery results that were not accepted by the customer. Ultimately, the ODDB was not compensated for the effort.
Implementation of the Mosaic 51 Camera System
The decision to switch to the Mosaic 51 camera system was driven by the need for reliable, high-quality imagery that could be used to attract investment. The Mosaic 51 camera system integrated into their workflow with minimal training, thanks to its user-friendly interface and robust support from Mosaic’s customer’s team.
Project Execution
The ODDB engaged Mosaic’s customer to capture street view imagery using the Mosaic 51 camera system. The designated area included various neighborhoods and business districts in downtown Orlando, with specific focus on the Camping World Stadium and intersecting highways.
The project involved capturing approximately 160 gigabytes of panoramic images at a spacing of around five meters. Despite challenging weather conditions, the project was completed in about a day and a half. The captured imagery was then published on platforms like Mapillary and Google Street View. This provided a current and comprehensive 3D model of the city.
Follow the link above to see imagery captured and shared on Mapillary specifically for this project. This first pano is from between City Hall and the Performing Arts Center in Orlando.
This project highlights a fascinating use case aimed at clearly representing the city virtually to attract further investment. Some of the recorded areas still needed of an economic boost or beautification, which community redevelopment grants could support.
By enhancing and making areas more accessible and attractive, they are more likely to draw investment from Orlando, the state of Florida, and beyond. This investment could support new businesses, large development projects, hotels, and restaurants, further advancing the ongoing progress in the downtown area. Overall, the 3D mapping of Orlando would pay for itself.
Usage and Applications of 3D Models of Cities
This customer in particular used the Mosaic 51 camera system for various projects, including urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, and GIS. In this particular project, the system allowed for efficient collection of 360-degree street view imagery. The imagery was instrumental in showcasing the city’s development to potential investors through a 3D model of the city.
Benefits and Outcomes of Using Mosaic
Making the switch to the Mosaic 51 camera system brought several benefits:
1. Time Savings: The system significantly reduced the time needed for data capture and processing, enabling the project to finish quickly despite initial delays. For example, the project with the previous camera system took well over two weeks to complete. This time did not include processing time and uploading through the cameras proprietary processing channel.
However, with the Mosaic system, the 3D model of the city took a total of 3 days from start to finish. This included driving to the site, capturing the imagery, processing the captures, and uploading it to the requested online platforms.
2. Reliability: The data collected proved to be highly reliable for repeated use, ensuring consistency and accuracy in visual representation. The camera reliably captured all required imagery with accurate GNSS data, even in urban canyons. Additionally, there were no collections that were corrupted and needed to be recaptured.
Lastly, the Mosaic system’s reliability reduced time on location, as the camera functioned flawlessly. It had no disconnections interrupting captures, no delays in acquiring a GNSS fix, and no power issues requiring multiple reboots. Its removable SSD streamlined data transfer directly to a processing workstation. This eliminated the extra steps needed with the previous camera, which required transferring data through an external SSD first.
3. Quality Improvement: Compared to the previous attempt with an NCTech camera, the Mosaic 51 provided superior image quality that met the client’s standards and requirements.
Value Addition
The high-quality imagery captured by the Mosaic 51 camera system added substantial value to ODDB’s efforts. The visual data helped to clearly represent areas in need of investment and beautification, thus making them more attractive to potential investors. This, in turn, supported the broader goals of community redevelopment and economic growth.
Feedback and Future Use
The feedback from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with praise for the clarity and detail of the imagery. Looking forward, the local development board can showcase Orlando’s development to all interested parties.
Initial Q & A with Mosaic customer:
How did the Mosaic 51 make your job easier?
The Mosaic camera significantly simplified our work due to its reliable GNSS signal. Unlike previous cameras that were labor-intensive and often misplaced images—placing them in the middle of buildings instead of on the roads—the Mosaic camera’s accuracy, especially in urban areas with high buildings, improved the placement of images.
Additionally, previous cameras involved extensive processing time and frequently corrupted captures, necessitating repeated visits to sites. These issues combined to deliver a subpar product to our client, often behind schedule.
Why was your first project unsuccessful?
The issues outlined above regarding the reliability of the camera and data processing complications led to the initial project’s failure (pre-Mosaic). These technical difficulties prevented us from delivering a quality product on time, directly affecting the project’s success.
Can you give examples of how the data was used?
The data served multiple purposes, primarily aimed at attracting outside investment and showcasing the progress in local development. Examples include:
1. Documenting urban redevelopment and the impact of external investments on building new businesses.
2. Supporting initiatives like tax incentives designed to encourage businesses to enhance the appearance of their buildings.
3. Providing visual documentation for use in virtual meetings and presentations to display the current state of the area to potential investors and stakeholders.
This approach is not unique to our project; it mirrors common practices seen in places like the Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency.
Conclusion
The Orlando Downtown Development Board’s project, with the Mosaic 51 camera system, shows the importance of choosing the right technology for the job. The switch from the NCTech iStar Pulsar camera to the Mosaic 51 camera system resulted in superior outcomes. It demonstrated the value and reliability of this system in urban development and planning initiatives.
Do you need a high-resolution mobile mapping system for your urban development project? Reach out today to see how Mosaic can help you map your city!
