Police Scotland will use five new Leica ScanStation P20’s to help reduce the amount of time that Scotland’s trunk roads are closed following serious collisions. The innovative technology records up to a million points per second whilst rotating 360 degrees, recreating a virtual image. The scan data is transferred to a laptop where officers can view the scene from any angle to oversee the crash site, measure point-to-point distances, the proximity of vehicles involved and other relevant aspects of the scene for further investigation. Using the scanning surveying system roads can be opened quicker after crashes, thereby helping to reduce congestion on roads.
Officers are now being trained on the scanners which will be located at various sites across the country to help in the examination and clear up of crash sites.
“The survey taken by the Leica ScanStation P20 laser scanners can be carried out very quickly and accurately and this, combined with prudent scene management, will make a significant impact on the time taken for investigations at crash sites. This will also have a beneficial knock on effect with regard to the cost of road closures and the disruption to commerce and the public”, says Crash Collision Investigator Darren Faulds.
Funding for the five scanners has been provided through Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework as part of a Scottish Government-led initiative aimed at reducing delays caused by road traffic collisions and support evidence gathering to ascertain the causes of collisions.
“The scanners will be brought into use over the coming weeks and their benefits should be realised quickly. This development is part of our on-going efforts to improve journey time”, says Transport Minister, Keith Brown.
“We continue to work in partnership with Transport Scotland to make Scotland’s roads safer and we are grateful for the provision of this new equipment that will help to enhance the quality of investigation and reduce the time spent at crash scenes”, commented Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Road Policing.
For more information on the Leica ScanStation P20, please visit the product page.
The Leica ScanStation P20 and the latest version of the point cloud processing software Leica Cyclone 9.0 are on display at Intergeo 2014! Learn more about Leica Geosystems innovative solutions from 7-9 October in Berlin, Hall 1.1 Booth A1.024 !