High resolution air photos of large geographic regions for long range transmission planning

[JeffreyGrussing-GRE]

We are looking for cost effective resources for current high resolution imagery for our service territory for long range transmission planning and routing. We have been looking into this for a couple of months new and you can find a lot of resources for large metropolitan areas for little to no cost. However rural areas are spotty and the companies we did find data the cost were really high ranging from $500,000 to 2.8 million per year. Does anyone know of a reasonably priced source for high resolution aerial base map data? Thanks in advance

Jeff

[ThomasHoman]

Let's start with the biggest question - what are you considering 'high resolution' - 1m, 30cm, 15cm, ...? Does the esri imagery base map not meet your planning level needs? Once you got beyond the planning stage and into engineering and design, I would suspect that there would be flights made of the final corridor that would capture the AOI visually, topologically, and temporally.

Given the distances transmission lines run and the practical limitations on large scale uas aerial collection, I suspect the price you received is to put aircraft up and not drones.

As a GIS manager in a rural county I know the nearby large metro area GIS departmental budget is greater than my entire county's budget so it's a matter of resource allocation. Sorry.

[JeffreyGrussing-GRE]

Thanks for the response, Thomas

We are looking for better than 1m preferably 6" we are also in need of more current data than what google, esri, or bing provides in their base maps in some areas. We also have UAS capabilities with LIDAR once a route is identified the use would be more for route selection and permitting. I am also the manager of a rural electric generation transmission company, and we have been tasked with finding better imagery by our land rights department. They are looking into potentially incorporate AI technology to help with route selection. which would require higher resolution than 1m to be proficient. I also understand that large metro areas have considerably larger budgets than we do. The most interesting vendor we are still in talks with is Eagleview. They were on the lower end of the price range I shared the vendor on the high end was a satellite vendor. Thanks again for the response.

[ThomasHoman]

To echo @JM32 - perhaps have a look at Maxar. They are now offering 15cm/6in imagery in their satellite imagery products via reprocessing 30cm imagery. https://blog.maxar.com/earth-intelligence/2020/introducing-15-cm-hd-the-highest-clarity-from-commerc... 

Not knowing their purchasing platform, perhaps that would have a corridor AOI option for the areas you would focus on. Start with 1m NAIP then move in tighter to the focus areas.

[JM32]

@JeffreyGrussing-GRE 

I don't know how often you need imagery taken, but two options are listed below with pros and cons to each.

1. NAIP (The National Argriculture Imagery Program) captures 1m down to 0.3m imagery on a 3-year basis. It's all public domain, free imagery - downloadable for the most part through USGS EarthExplorer for full resolution tiles. 
2. Satellite companies can capture imagery within your spatial requirements, and can give you access to high temporal resolution data since typically images are taken on a reoccuring basis. I couldn't give you a price but might be worth looking into. MAXAR is a good source I've used before.
3. Surdex takes good imagery - aerial vendor
4. Sanborn takes good imagery as well - aerial vendor

Cheers,

Jon

[JeffreyGrussing-GRE]

Thanks for the response. I do know about the NAIP program we are currently using it. Most of the data in Mn in rural areas is still 1m

[JM32]

Good deal! Glad you're using it - I always found it a great resource. Goodluck on your imagery search.