The Civil Engineering Geomatics research group integrates multi-disciplinary subjects including geomatics engineering, computer science, geotechnical engineering, and geology to analyze hazards in civil engineering, focusing on applications of terrestrial laser scanning and geographic information systems (GIS) to earthquake, liquefaction, and coastal hazards. At present, we are engaged in a wide variety of research projects in the US and abroad. In addition to using and developing geomatics tools for hazard analysis, we also perform fundamental sensor evaluations as well as algorithm development. Recent projects we have been involved with include:
- National guidelines for the use of Mobile LIDAR in transportation applications, NCHRP 15-44
- Synthesis of Geospatial Technology usage in transportation agencies, NCHRP Synthesis 20-05/Topic 43-09
- Pavement smoothness evaluations using inertial profilers, inclinometer-based profilers, and 3D scanning,
- Earthquake reconnaissance (following the Samoan, Chilean, and Japanese earthquakes and tsunamis),
- Evaluation of seismically-induced landslide hazards on lifeline routes in Oregon,
- Landslide analysis for the US 20 highway realignment,
- In-situ change detection using 3D laser scanning
- Proactive risk-based slope stability assessment the Pacific Northwest,
- Seacliff erosion on the Oregon Coast,
- Movement of the Johnson Creek Landslide.
Faculty Researchers
Michael Olsen, professor of geomatics, chairs the ASCE Geomatics Spatial Data Applications Committee and is on the editorial board for the ASCE Journal of Surveying Engineering. He has BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego. He has also worked as an Engineer in Training for West Valley City. His current areas of research include terrestrial laser scanning, remote sensing, GIS, geotechnical engineering, earthquake engineering, hazard mitigation, and 3D visualization. He teaches geomatics and geotechnical engineering courses at OSU where he has developed new, ground-breaking courses in 3D laser scanning, Digital Terrain Modeling course and Building Information Modeling. Recent projects he has been involved with include: development of mobile laser scanning guidelines for DOTs, earthquake reconnaissance (following the American Samoa, Chile, and Japan earthquakes and tsunamis), landslide and slope stability analysis, seacliff erosion mapping using LIDAR for San Diego County and Oregon, liquefaction hazard mapping for Utah, and modeling and studying historical buildings such as the Palazzo Medici and Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. Michael currently writes frequent articles for lidarnews.
Jihye Park is an assistant professor in geomatics. He research interests cover Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning/navigation and GNSS remote sensing. GNSS positioning/navigation includes topics on Real Time Kinematic (RTK), Network RTK (NRTK), Precise Point Positioning (PPP), and Inertial Navigation System (INS). Park focuses on advanced algorithms that are used to improve the performance of positioning and navigation systems under harsh environments. GNSS is also capable of observing the atmosphere, referred to as GNSS Remote sensing. Dr. Park's ongoing research topics include utilizing GNSS to monitor ionospheric disturbances to observe geophysical events such as natural hazards or artificial explosions.
Chris Parrish, associate professor of geomatics, is the Eric H.I. and Janice Hoffman Faculty Scholar. His research focuses on full-waveform lidar, topographic-bathymetric lidar, hyperspectral imagery, uncertainty modeling, and UAVs for coastal applications. Dr. Parrish is the Director of the Lidar Division of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). He also currently serves as Director of OregonView, a statewide consortium under AmericaView, dedicated to applied remote sensing research, STEM education, workforce development, and technology transfer. Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Parrish served as lead physical scientist in the Remote Sensing Division of NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey. He also holds an affiliate faculty position in the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Center at the University of New Hampshire.