Toronto, May 30, 2005 – Optech, the global leader in manufacturing and support of advanced laser-based survey instruments, is pleased to announce the sale of an ALTM 3100 to Thomas, West Virginia-based Canaan Valley Institute (CVI).
The world’s first 100 kHz airborne laser terrain mapper, the ALTM 3100 offers area coverage rates as high as 100 kHz at 1,100 m altitude, producing elevation data of unparalleled density and unprecedented low cost per posting. Additionally, the system can fly as high as 3,500 m with coverage rates as high as 33 kHz.
“Optech is pleased to have the ALTM 3100 airborne lidar system play an integral role in the development of environmental monitoring and remediation techniques at Canaan Valley Institute,” said Mike Smallwood, Regional Sales Manager, Optech International. “Lidar and digital camera technologies offer a unique airborne perspective of the terrain surface and the natural and man-made environment. CVI will utilize the airborne ALTM3100 data to assess the environmental vitality of the Mid-Atlantic Highlands region.”
“This lidar instrument and integrated digital camera will help CVI to revolutionize the assessment and planning phases of the environmental restoration and conservation,” said Paul Kinder, Director of Science and Technology, Canaan Valley Institute. “CVI is thrilled to bring such advanced technology to address the myriad of environmental issues in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands.”
“We are delighted to be working with such an innovative and progressive organization as Canaan Valley Institute,” said Don Carswell, President, Optech Incorporated. “We’re pleased that CVI has chosen our ALTM 3100 airborne lidar system to aid them in such a worthwhile continuing project and we’re confident that our technology will significantly enhance their assessment process.”
Optech’s ALTM sets the global standard for airborne laser terrain mapping with data acquisition rates of up to 100,000 pulses per second and innovative options such as intensity, full waveform digitization, simultaneous first/last pulse measurement, roll compensation, and digital camera integration. With more systems in operation worldwide than any other airborne laser mapping instrument, ALTM is the solution of choice where fast, detailed and accurate topographic elevation data are needed.
About Optech
Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced laser-based survey instruments. In addition to ILRIS, Optech products and applications include: the ALTM airborne laser terrain mapper; the SHOALS-1000T airborne lidar bathymeter; atmospheric monitoring and space based systems for planetary exploration, orbital operations and Earth preservation; mine cavity monitoring systems; and industrial process control solutions.
About Canaan Valley Institute
Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) is a nonprofit, non-advocacy organization established in 1995 to assist communities and watershed organizations in addressing environmental and economic problems. Through education, outreach, and applied science, CVI fosters local decision-making in support of sustainable communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic Highlands of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. CVI maintains a multi-disciplinary staff with core competencies in geospatial technology (Geographic Information Systems, Airborne Hyperspectral and Lidar surveying, GPS surveying, Landscape analyses and modeling), stream ecology, and environmental restoration. CVI has teamed with ACexpress, Inc., a Fairmont, WV based aircraft provider, to dedicate a Piper Navajo for ALTM 3100 operations. CVI plans to utilize the ALTM 3100 to provide Mid-Atlantic Highland environmental stakeholders with unprecedented high resolution, accurate, and timely information as well as offer fee-based services to other clients throughout the United States.
www.canaanvi.org
For further information, please contact:
Mike Smallwood
Regional Sales Manager
Terrestrial Survey Division
(540) 687-8185
www.optech.ca
Richard Hoch
Geospatial Manager
Canaan Valley Institute
P.O. Box 673
Davis, WV 26260
(800) 922-3601
www.canaanvi.org
