Optimization of Three-Dimensional (3D) Multi-Sensor Models For Damage Assessment in Emergency Context: Rapid Mapping Experiences in the 2016 Italian Earthquake

Geomatics techniques offer the chance to manage very cost-effective solutions for three-dimensional (3D) modelling, from both the aerial and terrestrial point of view, with the help of range and image-based sensors. 3D spatial data that is based on integrated documentation techniques, featured by a very high-scale and an accurate metric and radiometric information nowadays are proposed here as metric databases that are applicable for assisting the operative fieldwork in the case of rapid mapping strategies. In sudden emergency contexts for damage and risk assessment, the structural consolidation and the security measures operations meet the problem of the danger and accessibility constraints of areas, for the operators, as well as to the tight deadlines needs in first aid. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with cameras are more and more involved in aerial survey and reconnaissance missions; at the same time, the ZEB1 portable Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) mapping solution implemented in handle tools helped by Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) algorithms can help for a quick preliminary survey. Both of these approaches that are presented here in the critical context of a post-seismic event, which is Pescara del Tronto (AP), deeply affected by the 2016-2017 earthquake in Central Italy. The Geomatics research group and the Disaster Recovery team (DIRECT—http://areeweb.polito.it/direct/) is working in collaboration with the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) group of the Italian Firefighter.