The Pilot Project
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The Pilot Project
Summary
Since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of 2022, huge amounts of damage and destruction have been done to buildings and infrastructure across Ukraine. Although the defence of the country and the attempted push back of the Russian forces continues, Ukraine and its allies already look to the future and to rebuilding after the war.
Overview
In this project, funded as part of the Universities UK’s “twin for hope” initiative, the University of East London have twinned with Cherkasy State Technological University (ChSTU) to assess whether communities and civil groups could be trained in the use of drones to collect building damage data using small drones and whether the data collected could be assessed by volunteers across the world.
Many buildings will be damaged and destroyed as a result of the invasion and the first step to reconstruction is to build a picture of the extent of the damage across Ukraine. In this initial pilot project colleagues in ChSTU will train students to use drones to conduct survey flights and collect data to create 3D models of the buildings. We will then convene a panel of building and structural experts to evaluate whether the data collected by the students is suitable for performing a building damage assessment.
Learn more in this video (in Ukrainian) about how Cherkasy students are involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Process
Train students how to conduct drone surveys
ShowAt ChSTU, our colleagues will provide comprehensive training to their students on how to fly and safely operate a small drone, specifically the DJI Mavic 3. They will learn to capture high-quality image data using the drone. The training will involve a combination of classroom theory sessions and practical outdoor flying sessions.
Students conduct drone surveys
ShowIn this pilot project we will be working with students from ChSTU and surveying buildings on campus as a proof of concept for potential scale up in the future. This is in part because of the restrictions resulting from the current state of martial law in Ukraine which mean that members of the public cannot be trained to use the drone and the drone must only be flown on campus. This project aims to act as a proof of concept for the process of training users in drone surveying, data collection and analysis so that in the future it can be scaled up beyond students to the wider public right across Ukraine and friends across the world.
Students will use the drone to collect image data of buildings around campus. This process involves taking many images of the same building from every angle so that images have been captured of every aspect of the building
Data captured is used to generate 3D building models
ShowStudents will also learn how to turn the images captured by the drone into a 3D model of the building being surveyed. This is a process called photogrammetry. A realistic 3D model of the building will be produced.
A panel of building damage assessors review 3D models
ShowA panel of UK based building, structural and surveyor experts will be assembled to review the 3D models which the ChSTU students have created. The panel will report on how useful the building model will be to assess potential damage to a building. Again this is a proof of concept to test whether the type of data collected and model being produced can be useful for assessing building damage. If successful, in the future the aim is to establish a platform whereby international volunteers can volunteer to assess building damage based on the 3d models generated with the image data collected by volunteer drone operators across Ukraine.
Evaluate scale up barriers and opportunities
ShowLastly, we will assess and discuss the potential next steps for scale up. In order to approach the vast extent of damage and destruction across Ukraine the proof of concept method would need scaling up. To do this, large numbers of Ukrainian volunteers would need training in flying drone survey missions to collect large amounts of data from across the country. A platform would then need to be created for friendly experts in building damage assessment from across the world to volunteer to assess the data collected by the Ukrainian drone volunteers. We will evaluate the possible opportunities and barriers to scaling up and reaching this ambition.
Beyond this pilot project we aim to develop a model for scaling up the approach to volunteer based building surveying and assessing, then going on to build in additional benefits such as doing opportunity mapping to see where reconstruction can take place while incorporating sustainable design and the embedding of nature into regeneration.
Lastly, we will assess and discuss the potential next steps for scale up. In order to approach the vast extent of damage and destruction across Ukraine the method would need scaling up. To do this, large numbers of Ukrainian volunteers would need training in flying drone survey missions to collect large amounts of data from across the country. A platform would then need to be created for friendly experts in building damage assessment from across the world to volunteer to assess the data collected by the Ukrainian drone volunteers. We will evaluate the possible opportunities and barriers to scaling up and reaching this ambition.
Beyond this pilot project we aim to building in additional benefits such as doing opportunity mapping to see where and reconstruction can take place while incorporating sustainable design and the embedding of nature into regeneration.
Student testimonials
I am studying in the specialty 193 "Geodesy and Land Management" at ChDTU. This project interested me because I can learn something new for myself, learn to control the drone and process the information provided by it.
Alona Zamohylna
Ukraine
I study as a geodesist and land surveyor, I am interested in studying at CHDTU, there are responsive teachers who will always explain everything to you and reliable fellow students who will help at any moment. I was interested in this project because at the same time, we can help our country and develop the skills that may be needed in my speciality, I want to learn how to pilot a drone and learn about the intricacies of working with a drone.
Viktor Horiushyn
Ukraine
People
- Alan Chandler
- Sam Jelliman
- Richard Latham
- Colleagues from Cherkasy State Technological University