(Milton Keynes, UK / Heerbrugg, Switzerland, 3 October 2014) – Police Scotland will use five new Leica ScanStation P20 laser scanners to help reduce the amount of time that Scotland’s trunk roads are closed following serious collisions. The innovative technology records up to a million points per second whilst rotating 360 degrees, recreating a virtual image. The scan data is transferred to a laptop where officers can view the scene from any angle to oversee the crash site and measure point-to-point distances, the proximity of vehicles involved and other relevant aspects of the scene for further investigation.
Using the scanning surveying system enables roads to be opened more quickly after crashes, thereby helping to reduce congestion on roads. Officers are now being trained on the scanners which will be located at various sites across the country to help in the examination and clear up of crash sites.
“The survey taken by the Leica ScanStation P20 laser scanners can be carried out very quickly and accurately and this, combined with prudent scene management, will make a significant impact on the time taken for investigations at crash sites. This will also have a beneficial knock-on effect with regard to the cost of road closures and the disruption to commerce and the public,” says Crash Collision Investigator Darren Faulds.
Funding for the five scanners has been provided through Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework as part of a Scottish Government-led initiative aimed at reducing delays caused by road traffic collisions and supporting evidence gathering to ascertain the causes of collisions.
“The scanners will be brought into use over the coming weeks and their benefits should be realised quickly. This development is part of our on-going efforts to improve journey time,” says Keith Brown, Transport Minister.
“We continue to work in partnership with Transport Scotland to make Scotland’s roads safer and we are grateful for the provision of this new equipment that will help to enhance the quality of investigation and reduce the time spent at crash scenes,” commented Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Road Policing.
The Leica ScanStation P20 and the latest version of the point cloud processing software Leica Cyclone 9.0 will be on display at Intergeo 2014! Learn more about Leica Geosystems’ innovative solutions from 7-9 October in Berlin, Hall 1.1 Booth A1.024.
Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right
With close to 200 years of experience pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyse, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyse easily, and visualise and present spatial information. Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,800 employees in 33 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of Hexagon, Sweden.