Modern Science Gets Inside the Heads of Easter Island

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Creating topographical maps that represent the lay of the land used to be a painstaking process that took years of travel and further hours of pouring over collected data. The resulting map, while functional, paints a distorted representation of the actual lay of the land. This baseline understanding of a landmass unlocks the history of its changing terrain and inhabitants, but to a fault. On Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, where questions about its many statues remain unanswered, the shortcomings of old techniques fly in the face of today’s archaeologist.

Advanced Mapping

Modern topography goes beyond the simple record of elevation and land features. Today’s language around the subject concerns geospatial data sets. These comprehensive feeds are the result of thorough research collected using updated techniques such as the near-infrared sensors and the orthophoto. Unlike a typical aerial photograph, the orthophoto accurately depicts a photographic map. Where aerial photos cannot account for tilted shots that create image displacements, an orthophoto creates a uniform scale. The difference between the two may be nearly imperceptible to the human eye, but the photographic map’s value to the researcher leads to more complete data.

Unmanned and Unexpected

Unlike more populated parts of the Earth, Rapa Nui lacks a comprehensive geospatial data set. All known data collected by the human eye answers no questions about the history and reasoning behind the island or its iconic statues. A team of researchers from California State University Long Beach, led by professor of anthropology Carl Lipo, decided to approach this problem using commercial technology known as an unmanned aircraft system.

Unlike the popular quadcopter drones owned by private citizens, the UAS resembles a full-sized airplane. Equipped with a camera and controlled by a computer on the ground, the unmanned unit follows specific flight plans that allow for a much bigger picture with unsullied, inclusive data.

Lipo and his team used the UAS over the course of nine days to cover a section of Rapa Nui. Over the course of 26 missions, the team captured 26 different orthophotos and made strides in topographical and hydrological data. They reported immediate results and observed unique insights based on this data. Lipo reported that, based on the information they gathered, Easter Island’s ancient culture positioned its statues to signify nearby water and not for visibility as previously assumed. The UAS performed so well that CSULB decided to continue covering the entire island in future projects.

An Airborne Aquifer Survey

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Aquifers are underground regions of porous rock from which water can be siphoned. Wells are vital for the development of rural areas and helpful to communities far removed from lakes and rivers, but knowing exactly where to dig has always been a problem. New technology is likely to be a game changer for large-scale surveys.

Water Research in History

Searching for usable water typically means employing one of two techniques. The first, a fairly straight forward method, involves drilling test wells in locations that share characteristics with other known aquifers. With no certainty, however, several wells may be drilled before finding one that produces. Both the labor and expense of drilling are a lot to gamble on wells that may not ultimately produce.

The other known method employs copper spikes and wiring to create a subsurface current against which water would react. Researchers no longer need to drill deep into the earth only to find nothing. Nor do they need to worry about finding unusable water. The spike method detects an aquifer and potential impurities at the same time. While an improvement on drilling, this tedious process still takes time to set up, break down, and transport. This leaves much to be desired for researchers.

A Revolutionary Technique

A research team in Sioux Falls, South Dakota recently developed a new system known as RESOLVE that takes to the air for searching out and testing an aquifer. Using a system of coils and wires that works on principles similar to those of the copper spike technique, a subsurface current generates overhead via a sensor flown by a helicopter. Now, great distances are covered in minutes, producing results as the research team goes. This means less time spent in the field with fewer workers who no longer have to set up multiple locations. RESOLVE provides a faster, cheaper, and easier method of aquifer research.

The data yielded by RESOLVE serves as the blueprint for a simulated aquifer model known as MODFLOW, a new data representation used by the USGS. A multi-formed model system such as this allows for more thorough answers to specific questions. MODFLOW provides results such as water purity, most permeable zones for drilling, and unique details about the geology that need to be considered when moving forward.

Working in tandem, RESOLVE and MODFLOW clear the way for other cities to take much of the guesswork out of finding an aquifer.

A Big Year for GPS

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The Global Positioning System, better known to its users as GPS, exists as a complex interlocking network of satellites, operators, and users. Last July 17th, GPS turned 20 years old. In a mere two decades, the technology has changed the way we navigate and orient ourselves. It remains the standard for accuracy in positioning and continues to grow. In fact, this year saw several leaps forward for the famous government program.

The 2nd and 19th Space Operations Squadrons

Referred to as 2 and 19 SOPS, “Team Black Jack,” or the 50th Space Wing, these two integral units consist of the men and women who run GPS from Schriever Air Force Base. While there are many SOPS at Schriever, only two are concerned with GPS. You could think of 2 SOPS as ground control, performing commands and carrying out missions, whereas 19 SOPS dedicates its time to launches and sustaining the operative capacity of satellites in orbit.

The 50th Space Wing’s profound impact on our world goes largely unnoticed, but this year, they received due recognition.

Public Recognition and Events

Last year, the 2 and 19 SOPS took part in multiple public events, even hosting GPS week in February. The educational event involved a tour of Schriever for many middle and high school students and the 2nd squadron visiting local schools in an outreach program. Later in the year, the city of Colorado Springs (near where the program is based) honored the 2 and 19 SOPS on the program’s 20th birthday by declaring July 17th “GPS Day.” With more publicly, the 50th Space Wing and GPS garnered attention on an episode of “60 Minutes.”

Continuing Expansion

In just 2015 alone, the 2 and 19 SOPS launched and assumed command of three new satellites. After three months of preparation, Team Black Jack expanded its network from 8 to 11 total operational satellites. This may mean new and unprecedented advances in GPS’s precision and timing capabilities in the years to come.

The Top Arts and Entertainment Destinations in Cleveland

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arts and entertainment destinations in Cleveland

Cleveland Rocks! Now more than ever, the “Sixth City” has a vibrant cultural scene that hums with the energy of artists, tastemakers, and bon vivants reintroducing themselves to the historic metropolis.

Clevelanders in the know will tell you that the local music scene has to be experienced to be believed. Artists like Robin Stone may be under the radar by national standards, but pack the house to the rafters at venues all over Cleveland. Robin Stone’s story almost reads like a metaphor for the city itself. A decade ago, she lost her voice due to a tumor and battled a life-threatening illness. She bounced back and was even named “Best Vocalist” of 2009 by a prominent Ohio music magazine. Today, she can be seen strutting around stages delivering a funky blend of rock and soul laced with a folksy self-awareness that makes her charisma both larger than life and somehow relatable at the same time.

If you’re looking for something a little more refined, check out the renowned Cleveland Museum of Art located in the University Circle neighborhood. The main building, an archetype of the neo-classical ‘Beaux Arts’ style, is the stunning centerpiece of the gorgeous Wade Park. Inside, works by Caravaggio, Degas, and Monet are among the highlights of the astounding permanent collection. The museum is also home to one of a bare handful of casts of “The Thinker” made during August Rodin’s lifetime. The Museum is free to the public thanks to one of the world’s largest museum endowments (nearly $1 billion) and well worth a visit.

If the historical charm of Cleveland and the dulcet twang of early rock n’ roll have you feeling nostalgic, indulge in a slice of Americana at the Aut-O-Rama drive-in theater. Located in North Ridgeville, the classic drive-in shows new releases as well as throwback features. You and the rest of the T-Birds or Pink Ladies can let your hair hang down and hike up your hoop skirts while taking in the time-capsule feel.

Special thanks to Cliff for the image of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Cleveland Public Square Renovations Take Center Stage

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When the Republican National Convention descends on Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland next summer, the cameras will be focused on the candidates and the crowds. But they’ll also capture the City of Cleveland as a backdrop to the political race. Casual observers might be unaware, but the City’s officials hope those familiar with the rock and roll capital of the world will notice a change. Where Cleveland was once an unfortunate example of rust-belt urban blight, the last decade has seen an unprecedented revitalization of the downtown area. Public Square, just down Ontario St. from the Arena, is currently undergoing a transformative renovation that will bring the historic public space into the 21st century and beyond.

Public Square is as old as the City it sits in. It was laid out by founder Moses Cleveland himself in 1796 as a third reference point to balance the expanse of Lake Erie and the serpentine course of the Cuyahoga River. In the 1980s, the Square was carved up in an effort to increase traffic flow through downtown. While it was successful in achieving that aim, the remodel also shrank the usable pedestrian space and turned the square into a glorified traffic island. As the inner core of the city hollowed out, like almost all major American metropolises, the concrete’s Spartan shrubbery fell into disrepair and patchwork maintenance became another line item on the budget.

Today, the City of Cleveland is investing $32 million to reintegrate the space into what it hopes will be a more pedestrian-friendly space. In a move that is characteristic of the new urbanism movement, the development calls for moving away from the car as the central mode of mobility through city centers. The new Square will be an expansive green space with water features, much like the original Public Square. The hope is that improved walkability will spur the kind of mixed-use development that is critical for sustainable cities.

The ALTA Survey Standards Will Take Effect February 2016

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surveyor mapping mountains

The standards that land surveyors adhere to have been updated seven times since they were first introduced in 1962. The most recent update took place in 2011. For over a year, the American Land Title Association (ALTA) has been working with the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Together, representatives from each organization have been laboring over a revamped set of standards.

There are currently 14 pages of suggested revisions to the 2011 standards, and a working draft is currently in the process of revision. Since the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) was absorbed by the NSPS, the updated standard’s title may be changed to reflect the changes in the organization. The new title may be revised to “The Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys.” Other changes to the standard are much more substantial.

Some of the most relevant changes include:

Clarifications and guidance in the areas of the surveyor’s responsibility in regards to research, as well as guidance for locating and depicting streets and roads. Utility features will need to be shown in new surveys; this will no longer be optional. Updated descriptions will be annotated with the reason for the update, and how the described land relates to the previous record.

Several items will be clarified in the new standards, including Table A items that were negotiated differently from their description in the 2011 Standards. One major concern with Table A item 19 regarding wetlands will be addressed with clarifications to prevent any misunderstanding of the standards that have frequently happened in the past.

Certain surveyor liability issues will be addressed by the removal of Table A item 20b. The updates and clarifications to the standards will, it is hoped, better reflect the current needs of surveyors, landowners, and other interested parties, and improve the quality of information gathered and recorded in these surveys.

New AIA Contract Documents for Design-Build

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surveyor on a mountain

New contract documents will make collaborating with industry stakeholders much easier. The American Institute of Architects has come out with six new forms for use on design-build projects.

C103-2015, C201-2015, C202-2015 Forms

The new C103-2015 form can be used as a standard agreement between consultants and owners. It is best used for jobs without a predefined scope of consultant services. However, it is used to establish the expectations between the two parties. It should contain basic terms in regards to licenses, claims, disputes, copyrights, and termination of services.

In addition to using C103-2015, companies should include the new C202-2015, which is a standard Geotechnical Engineering Services form. This additional paperwork will establish any duties and responsibilities of any geotechnical engineer that has been hired as a consultant.

C201-2015 will also be included with C103-2015 in the event of a land survey. The form details the duties of any surveyor that is acting as a consultant. It should include details such as the type of survey being completed: boundary, ALTA/ACSM, or topographic surveys.

While both C201-2015 and C202-2015 may not be necessary for each project, they are not intended to be used as standalone agreements. They are designed to be used with C103-2015.

Six Other Forms

AIA has released an additional six documents for design-build usage. The popular paperwork packet now includes the change order for a design-build project, G741-2015, and the application and certificate for payment, contractor G742C-2015. Other forms are the certificate for payment application, subcontractor agreement, continuation sheet for a design-build project for both contractor and subcontractor, and change directive, numbered G742S-2015, G743C-2015, G743S-2015, and G745-2015 respectively.

Owners, consultants, and contractors can begin using these forms immediately. They are available through the latest AIA Contract desktop software. Users can also go to the AIA documents on demand or on demand plus to obtain each form individually.

Thanks to Hugo Chilsom on flickr for the image used in this post.

Overview of Antique Surveying Processes

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Photo Of A Land Surveyor - Garrett & Associates

Land surveying dates back to ancient eras. In fact, the Egyptians likely utilized surveying as they planned and constructed the great pyramids. People have long understood the importance of accurate land surveying because it sets boundaries, which determine who owns which plots of land. In years past, the process was often inaccurate due to rudimentary equipment. Sometimes the surveyor used tools that were of poor quality or in disrepair.

Ancient tools often included the use of sticks, rope, chains, and even body parts such as fingers, feet, and hands. Issues with accuracy were common for surveyors using these tools. As time progressed, equipment advanced to the use of tape measures, slide rulers, logarithmic tables, and calculators.

Land surveying has developed exponentially due to inventions such as the computer and the microchip. With these new technological advances, the process has become both faster and more accurate. Surveyors of today have a wealth of equipment at their disposal. Some of the latest equipment includes:

– Satellite positioning systems that are capable of measuring points or features virtually anywhere on earth from space. An increase in data points utilized has led to clearer images.

– Geographic information system software, which can capture data and analyze it to create highly detailed digital maps.

– Terrestrial mobile LIDAR scanning has the capability of gathering data taken at high speeds to streamline the process.

– Robotic total stations can calculate slope distances down to the nearest centimeter at the touch of a button.

– 3D laser scanners have the ability to interpret shapes of land to aid in visualization and analysis.

Modern land surveying demands monitoring current technology on a continual basis to stay abreast of new developments and equipment. As newer technology allows professionals to plan projects more precisely, they can ensure the best possible land use, which benefits both clients and the environment.

Who Is Your Land Surveyor and What Do They Do?

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Photo Of A Map - Garrett and Associates

One of the world’s oldest professions is also one of the most in-demand jobs for recent graduates. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for land surveyors are excellent. The reason? With land development growing at twice the speed of the U.S. population, surveyors are sought after. A stunning 95 percent of students find a job within four months of graduation.

What They Do

The primary responsibility of the average land surveyor is to make precise measurements in order to determine property boundaries. The data they provide is needed for engineering, mapmaking, and construction. In addition to determining the exact location of construction projects based on property lines, land surveyors also dictate the proper depth for building foundations. Clients may include private land developers, government agencies, and others.

Tools of the Trade

According to historians, land surveying dates back to the earliest human civilizations. In Ancient Egypt, for example, early practitioners used chains and steel bands to subdivide the fertile lands around the Nile River for farming. Recent technological advances have made the profession far more precise and less physically demanding. Although they still spend a lot of time in the field, modern surveyors don’t have to do as much walking because their tools, such as a theodolite, measure distance with the help of global positioning system (GPS) technology. These measurements can then be used to present data visually as charts, reports, or maps. They can even create computerized maps to give builders and architects a clearer picture of the land they’ll be working on.

Where They Work

Official employment statistics confirm that the overwhelming majority of surveyors work for private surveying or engineering firms. A much smaller portion is employed by state or local governments. As for the industries they work in, more than two-thirds of land surveyors ply their trade in the architectural and/or engineering fields. Nearly ten percent work for local or state governments, while about half that number (five percent) work in heavy or civil engineering construction. A slightly smaller group is employed by the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries.

But no matter who they work for, land surveyors must split their time between field and office work. When in the field, surveyors often work in teams or crews, taking measurements on the job site. Though they are rarely required to walk long distances, surveyors must still inspect land features and take measurements from different spots. This often involves climbing up small hills with heavy packs filled with surveying equipment and instruments. As such, the average surveyor must be physically fit.

Education & Training

Modern surveyors must have a strong academic background in science, mathematics, and mapping. Although some colleges offer a bachelor’s degree program to prepare students to become land surveyors, many have degrees in related fields such as forestry or civil engineering. After graduation, all prospective surveyors must work under a licensed surveyor for about two years to qualify for a surveying license of their own. They must also pass the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, which is administered by the state.

Although it takes many years of study and hard work, becoming a land surveyor offers excellent employment opportunities.

Touring the Towpath Trail and Centennial Trail

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Garret and Associates Towpath and Centennial Trails

Bikers throughout the region will soon find an extended trail in the combined Towpath Trail and Centennial Trail.

The Ohio and Erie Canalway Towpath Trail stretches between Cleveland and New Philadelphia. This popular bikeway is set to become a portion of an impressive cross-state trail. The Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail will connect with the Towpath Trail in the city of Cleveland, going on to wind through downtown neighborhoods and skirt along the shores of Lake Erie.

The Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail is the new name of what was previously called the Lake Link Trail. A recent $5 million donation from The Cleveland Foundation is responsible for the underwriting of this Cleveland Metroparks project. The new name recognizes the Cleveland Foundation’s commitment to this current project and assistance with the conservation of this natural area. An important overall goal of the project is to raise awareness of the Lake Erie region and its natural beauty and to encourage more people to visit the area.

Bicyclists who take to the Towpath Trail will be greeted with stretches of asphalt, connected with segments of finely crushed stones. The good news is that most of the stone surfaces are packed firmly enough to enable road bikes to navigate them with ease. Anyone planning to tour the Towpath Trail during the summer should check with the park service managing specific areas to ensure that the entire pathway is open. With its close proximity to local waterways such as the Cuyahoga River, flooding can occur, especially after significant rainfall.

Once the connection between the Towpath Trail and the Centennial Trail is complete, Cleveland locals will have greater access to the expanding park system by bike. Wendy Park and Whiskey Island are just two destinations that will be accessible via the bikeway. A pedestrian bridge is also planned for the lakefront area.
Ohio residents or visitors from out of state can enjoy approximately 190 miles of bikeways snaking through natural valleys, quiet suburbs, and bustling cities.

Special thanks to Robert Couse-Baker for the image of the bike on the trail.