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Measuring Complex Beach-Dune Morphology and Nearshore Process using UAVs
Coastal Sediments 2019: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference
  • Mel Rodgers, University of South Florida
  • Mathieu Vallee, University of South Florida
  • Ping Wang, University of South Florida
  • Jun Cheng, University of South Florida
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811204487_0222
Disciplines
Abstract

We examined various applications of widely available and low-cost Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in measuring beach morphodynamics and hydrodynamics. With adequate ground control points, UAVs demonstrate promising potential for capturing highly 3-dimensional beach/dune morphology with cm-scale accuracy and mm-scale resolution. Model accuracy and resolution are also controlled by flight altitude, with lower altitude yielding higher accuracy and resolution but at the expense of less spatial coverage. The time-series of UAV images and DEMs provide a valuable tool to document morphology changes of irregularly shaped coastal features, vegetation coverage and spatial distribution of sediment sizes. The efficiency of UAV data collection allows regional scale pre- and post-storm surveys to quantify storm-induced beach/dune changes. The overhead videos from the reasonably stable platform allow measurements of dynamic surf-zone parameters including incident breaking and non-breaking wave angles, limits of uprush and downrush, swash velocities and longshore current velocity. UAVs prove to be a promising addition to the traditional methods for measuring beach morphodynamics and hydrodynamics.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Measuring Complex Beach-Dune Morphology and Nearshore Process using UAVs, in P. Wang, J. D. Rosati & M. Vallee (Eds.), Coastal Sediments 2019: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference, p. 2581-2595

Citation Information
Mel Rodgers, Mathieu Vallee, Ping Wang and Jun Cheng. "Measuring Complex Beach-Dune Morphology and Nearshore Process using UAVs" Coastal Sediments 2019: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference (2019) p. 2581 - 2595
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/pingwang/126/