Residents in Guelph have recently observed vehicles similar to Google Street View cars driving around their neighborhoods with large cameras mounted on top. These trucks are conducting a comprehensive data collection exercise by capturing millions of laser measurements of trees lining the streets to develop an intricate three-dimensional virtual map of the city’s tree inventory.
The primary objective behind this initiative, led by Dave Beaton, Guelph’s program manager for forestry and sustainable landscapes, is to enhance the city’s tree management practices and work towards achieving a 40 percent tree canopy cover by 2070. According to Beaton, the utilization of more accurate data will result in improved tree management strategies, leading to better overall outcomes for the city’s trees.
Beaton highlighted that Guelph’s current tree inventory, which is approximately 12 years old, has become outdated due to tree growth, removal, and new plantings. The new data collection system aims to provide a more precise and up-to-date overview by capturing detailed information about urban trees.
He emphasized that this initiative is not merely about short-term planning but will play a crucial role in shaping the city’s strategies for the upcoming decades.
Developing a digital city model
The trucks are equipped with mobile LiDAR scanners that gather detailed measurements of trees as they navigate through neighborhoods, recording data such as height, trunk diameter, canopy size, and positioning. Additionally, these vehicles collect information about surrounding infrastructure like signs and hydrants.
This project is being conducted in collaboration with the Quebec-based mapping company Jakarto.
Felix LaRoche, the founder and CEO of Jakarto, mentioned that similar projects have been successfully completed in Cambridge and Burlington. According to LaRoche, their technology captures two million measurements per second during the drive to create an exceptionally precise digital twin of the city.
It is important to note that the scanning trucks only capture data visible from public roads and do not intrude on private properties. Moreover, license plate information is automatically blurred before the data is shared with municipal staff.
The collected data will be instrumental in identifying suitable areas for tree planting, enhancing long-term planning processes, and focusing on regions with lower tree canopy coverage.
Beaton projected that within two months, Guelph will possess an updated inventory and a 3D virtual map showcasing the city’s urban trees and public infrastructure. He emphasized that this task, which would have been time-consuming using traditional methods involving manual surveys, will now be efficiently accomplished through this advanced technology.
Expanding beyond trees
The digital map, also referred to as a “digital twin,” serves as a virtual, high-precision model of the city.
LaRoche described it as a replication of the urban environment, comparable to Google Street View but offering additional functionalities for city personnel to conduct measurements and inspect infrastructure without physically venturing into the field.
Beaton anticipates that various city departments will perceive this as a valuable asset for efficient