Remote depth survey of the Charles River Basin

Author(s)
Karlik, Evan A
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor
Franz S. Hover.
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Abstract
Unmanned vehicles may provide more time- and cost-effective methods of gathering hydrographic survey data when compared to traditional, manned survey vessels. A remote-controlled unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was outfitted with a depth transducer for the purpose of conducting a depth survey of the Charles River Basin. Two windsurfer fins were added to the stem of the USV kayak for directional stability without significant drag, permitting a maximum vessel speed of 4.4 knots. A total of 1485 latitude-longitude GPS points with corresponding depth measurements were taken. Charles Basin data was plotted with ArcGIS software and used to create depth contours and three-dimensional surface plots of the river bottom. This prototype survey USV displays promise and could become readily feasible with further development and autonomy.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2007.
 
Includes bibliographical references (leaf 17).
 
Date issued
2007
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40441
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering.
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