SBIR-STTR Award

A method to detect, locate, and map utilities and underground infrastructure is proposed at traffic speeds based on recent advances in step-frequency ground penetrating radar (SFGPR). Recent work by the proposed research team has already demonstrated imaging of subsurface civil infrastructure elements such as pavement structure and inductive loop detectors embedded in the pavement. The proposed research plan considers both theoretical and deployment constraints. The extent of penetration of the three-dimensional SFGPR signal into the roadway is estimated for the full Nibandwidth of 150MHz to 3.05GHz that considers the material properties of the pavement base, and sub-base layers with maximum detail near the surface with higher frequencies and deeper penetration below the pavement at lower frequencies. Knowing the signal strength at receiver will help the detection and mapping. This ability to estimate the operational limits of the proposed hardware combined to the unique data collection and data reduction procedures will produce reliable and verified underground features ready for classification and visualization. Advanced processing algorithms based on a complete theoretical foundation will be developed to measure the location and size of the buried assets in three dimensions while overcoming limitations of existing approaches near the surface, within the first ten centimeters.

In phase I, a concept to detect, recognize, compute depth, and map utilities and underground infrastructure was demonstrated at traffic speeds with advances in step-frequency ground penetrating radar (SF-GPR). The description of the proposed non-destructive evaluation method was based on first principles to estimate the extent of penetration of a three-dimensional SF-GPR signal into the roadway for the full bandwidth of 150MHz to 3.05GHz that considers the material properties of the pavement base, and sub-base layers. The following technical tasks identified at completion of phase-I work are proposed in phase II: Development of automated detection of buried objects, including calibration of sizing algorithm, and fusion of sensors for feature tracking for registration of data mining results, development of Control sites validation, verification and evaluation sites in collaboration and coordination with a local and a state agency involved in the rehabilitation of intersections with access to utility databases. With these sites, demonstrate accuracy and ease of use to demonstrate to the market the viability of the proposed approach, final Design and Implementation of prototype Hardware/Software configuration and marketing of anticipated product with commercial entities for future deployment. Leverage field experience and results acquired with the local and state agencies.