The Future of Technology
in Stormwater: Drones to
Augmented Reality
Ryan Janoch, PE
September 30, 2014 WEFTEC 2014
Overview
● Previous Technology
● Current Technology
● Future Technology
● Big Data
● Platforms
● Drones
● Augmented Reality
● Challenges
What is Technology?
The Application of Scientific
Knowledge for Practical
Purposes
Types of Technology
• Infrastructure
• Pipes
• Manholes
• Culverts
• Treatment
• Separators
• Bioretention Cells
• Detention Ponds
• Monitoring
• Depth Sensors
• Water Quality
• Maintenance
• Vac Trucks
• Sweepers
• Information
• Teaching
• Data
• Maps
• Inspections
• Permits
Information Technology
The link between physical infrastructure,
monitoring, and maintenance.
Old View
Data collection, mapping, tracking, and
reporting
New View
Understanding, planning, predicting, and
cost/time efficiencies
Can’t move forward
unless you understand
the past and present
Technology Maturity
1. Infrastructure (mature)
2. Treatment (established)
3. Monitoring (established/growing)
4. Maintenance (growing)
5. Information (emerging)
Information Technology
(maybe Past)
• Paper maps/notes
• NPDES Permits
• Annual reports
• CCTV videos
• Photos
Current (for some) Technology
• Water quality sensors
• Online learning/training
• Electronic inspection forms
• GIS mapping
• GPS tracking of maintenance crews
Big Data
Lots of Data
(e.g. internet search, sensors)
Term is Relative
Always Changing
Data Sources
• Treatment devices
• Location, size, sediment depth
• Water quality results
• Watershed – commercial, industry, etc.
• Inspections
• Outreach/Public
• Open Source
• USGS
• USDA
Be Data Driven
Activities guided by data
not by personal experience
or intuition
Application of Big Data
Data Means Nothing Until You Do Something
-Mixpanel Conference
Planning – growth in use, contaminants, etc.
Predictive Maintenance – more/less frequent
Training – site specific
Hidden Cost Benefits
For Manufacturers:
Data from technology not just the device
For Public Entities:
Timely maintenance and tailored planning
For Engineers:
Understand client needs and constraints
Platforms
● Multiple sources
● Sensors
● Existing maps
● Laboratory data
● Inspection
● Videos/photos
Benefits of Platforms
• Integrated
• Central location
• Easier reporting
• Creating a knowledge
field worker
• Empower staff
Example: Stormwater System Mapping
Example: Asset Management Programs
● Targeted maintenance
● Plan for repairs and upgrades
● Better models (e.g. planning, expansion,
upgrades)
● Reduce long-term maintenance costs
● Permit compliance
Source: amazon.com
Drones
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
• Started as military technology
• Commercial use is banned*
• (FAA guidance by September 2015)
Legal in US
• Hobby Class (<400 feet and <4.4 pounds)
• Universities
Perception (banned)
vs. Reality (used daily)
Commercial Use is Thriving
1. Video production – extreme sports and
unique, low cost shots
2. Real estate – site videos and aerials
3. Construction – daily site photos, building
inspections
4. Agriculture (crowded) – imagery, pesticides
5. Delivery (testing) – DHL, Amazon, Google
Applications in Stormwater
• Erosion monitoring
• Water sampling
• Enforcement
• Remote site inspections/sampling
• Silt fence inspections on construction sites
Benefits to Drones
Data – real-time, visual records, sensors
Cost – $1,500+
Safety – remote
Schedule – on demand
City of Lakewood, Ohio
Problem:
• High stormwater flows
• Erosion at outfalls into Lake Erie
• EPA pressure
Solution:
• $1,500 drone
• Monitor erosion and flow pathways
• Safer than rappelling down cliff
http://www.ideastream.org/news/feature/lakewood-buys-drone-to-monitor-sewer-runoff-into-lake-erie
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Water Monitoring
• Aquatic biodiversity data
• Subamarines with video
• pH and temperature sensors on drone
• Citizen project (Cal Academy of Sciences,
iNaturalist, Museum of Oakland, etc.)
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/drones-robotic-rovers-and-citizen-scientists-join-forces-to-
sample-a-lakee28099s-biodiversity/
Photo: Scientificamerican.com
Water Monitoring/Sampling
University of Nebraska
• Beyond aerial photography
• Water sampling with a dronehttp://benkreimer.com/drones/experiments/drone-water-sample-
collection/
European “Drone Project”
• Monitor and treat algae
hotspots
• 3.2M invested
• Consortium of groupshttp://www.waterworld.com/articles/wwi/print/volume-29/issue-
2/regulars/news/industry-news/drones-to-control-monitor-and-treat-
green-algae-blooms.html
Augmented Reality
Live view of the environment
supplemented by computer images
or information (layers)
Source: publicworksgroup.com
Applications of Augmented Reality
• Stormwater pipes
• Maintenance information
Warning: Only as good as the data that goes in
Source: Bentley.com
Source: vuzix.com
Challenges
• Slow to Evolve/Resistance to Change
• Costs
• Not Understanding Limitations
• Not Understanding Benefits
• Tough to Integrate