The Surveying Research Group is conducting research in the photogrammetry and special information area, in applications of automated image matching and surface shape registration, without the use of control points.

The Surveying Research Group is conducting research in photogrammetry, geospatial information and geodesy. The group has been carrying out photogrammetric research since the 1980s into a variety of applications of close-range photogrammetry, for engineering, topographic, biological, medical, and forensic studies. Research in the marine mammal environment has led to the development of specialist tracking software and techniques using a variety of platforms including theodolites and cameras.

Geodetic research interests lie in the use of geodetic satellite techniques, mainly related to satellite altimetry and gravimetry, for monitoring and understanding physical ocean processes and environmental change. For these techniques, satellite altimetry is an established technique for observing the ocean surface. Satellite gravimetry is complementary to satellite altimetry aimed at measuring temporal changes of gravity caused by mass redistribution in the Earth (e.g., GRACE mission) and improving the Earth's static gravity field and geoid (e.g., GOCE mission). The surveying group has conducted internationally recognised geodetic research into coastal altimetry and its applications in observing and determining variations in sea level and ocean dynamics.

Research

Our current research in the areas of photogrammetry and spatial information lie in:

  • The use of spatial information;
  • Application and development of special surveying tracking techniques in the marine environment;
  • Applications of automated image matching and of automated surface shape
    registration without the use of control points; and
  • Applications under study include medical studies of human anatomy and dental
    erosion research.

Within geodesy, the main area of research is satellite radar altimetry. This research has relevant industry applications, specifically in the understanding of the mesoscale ocean currents in coastal zones, sea level changes, and marine gravity field. Ongoing research into this area incorporates the following:

  • Data quality improvement from re-tracking satellite radar altimeter waveforms;
  • Satellite altimetry applications in monitoring of tropical cyclones and river floodplain;
  • Geodetic estimation of the ocean current characteristics;
  • Determination of the marine gravity field from multi-altimeter data; and
  • Recovery of the mean dynamic topography from satellite geodetic and
    oceanographic data sources.

In addition, the Surveying Research Group is proposing research into the exploitation of surface hydrological flux mapping using data from satellite altimetry (radar and laser) and spaceborne gravimetry such as the NASA/GFZ mission Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE).

Other researchers in this group include: Dr Harvey Mitchell, Dr Eric Kniest and Dr Ole B. Andersen