GPR Pro presents the Stream EM: our high density and high productivity GPR survey solution.
What is it
A trailer mounted Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system which is interfaced with GPS or Total Station (TS). This system is towed behind a vehicle to provide a relatively high speed survey of roads and large open spaces without requiring accurate survey grids, road closures or fixed traffic management.
Why use it
The principle advantages of our Stream EM high productivity GPR survey solution include:
- High productivity
- Cost saving
- Increased safety
- Less disruption to local traffic
- PAS128 compliant method
Where is it suitable for
The Stream EM is ideally suited for GPR surveys of roads and open spaces with clear skies overhead. Such areas include:
- Major roads (dual carriageways, a&b roads, motorways)
- Large roundabouts
- Large flat open areas (airport taxiways and aircraft stands open car parks)
- All with open skies
- Urban routes
The system offers advantages against traditional GPR but is less ideal for:
- Dense urban areas
- Open areas with limited obstructions
- Areas with limited GPS coverage
Who needs it
Stream EM high productivity GPR surveys are suitable for:
- Surveying companies as part of a PAS128 compliant service
- Highways agency
- Local councils
- Large contractors
- Utilities
Not suitable for
The Stream EM is not ideal for all situations, in areas with obstructions or limited manoeuvrability GPR Pro recommends a gridded GPR survey method.
Areas not suitable for the Stream EM include:
- Small roundabouts, dead ends and confined or narrow spaces
- Off-road, uneven surfaces and speed bumps
- Open areas with multiple obstructions
About our system
Our Stream EM high productivity GPR system is based on the IDS Stream EM, towed GPR array. Which consists of a full configuration IDS RIS Hi Mod (four duel frequency antennas at approximately 45cm spacing) which is used to detect the utilities perpendicular to the direction of travel, and a large low frequency array which is used to detect utilities parallel to the direction of travel.
A system with this configuration will have the same performance as any high quality gridded GPR survey when detecting the utilities perpendicular to the direction of travel (because it uses exactly the same technology), and a similar reduced performance on the other axis (because it will have only one frequency and reduced sampling – but improved imaging).
The whole system is interfaced with GPS positioning, and maybe used with TS in areas with poor GPS coverage.
We are working on new mechanics to replace the trolley system delivered by IDS, and have customised both our array and our survey methodology to optimise the performance and improve the operation of the equipment.
Advantages of the Stream EM
Based on the build configuration described above, the principle points about our Stream EM high productivity GPR can be summarised as follows:
- Able to detect features in both axes with only one pass of the GPR – allowing it to be hitched to a vehicle and towed.
– The same performance as a gridded GPR survey in one axis
– Slightly reduced performance than a gridded GPR survey in the other axis
– Improved imaging with respect to a traditional gridded GPR survey at 0.5m centres
- No in-road working
– No grids
– Greatly increased safety
– No fixed traffic management
– Less disruption to local traffic
- Faster speeds of operation (up to 12mph – 5-10mph typical)
- Cost savings as a result of increased productivity and reduced traffic management
