Three employees of the Department of Geodesy have received grants as part of the 4th edition of the Argentum Triggering Research Grants. | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology

The ARGENTUM Triggering Research Grants program aims to support young scientists in conducting valuable research in various fields of science.

In the 4th edition, grants were awarded for projects demonstrating potential in addressing current issues in key environmental, social, and economic areas.

The awarded financial resources - in this edition amounting to 3 021 019,08 PLN - will enable the comprehensive research process and dissemination of research results, including the purchase of research equipment, materials, minor equipment, or covering the costs of publishing results.

In the concluded application round for the program, 35 applications were submitted, of which 21 received funding. Among them were three applications from employees of our Department of Geodesy:

1. Project title: Spatial developments of point clouds in analyses of the geometry of Gothic vaults.

Project assumptions: The scientific objective of the project "Point cloud spatial expansions in the analysis of the geometry of the gothic vaults" is to develop a methodology of using the point cloud spatial expansion method (PCSE) and surface theory to assess the geometry of vaults in Gothic buildings. Taking into account the complexity of the architectural elements of the structure and the variety of vault forms used, it is reasonable to present a method that would uniformly define the geometrical features of the vaults. The assessed elements would be the parameters of symmetry and repeatability of individual components of the vaults. The research material for the formulation of a mathematical model will be point clouds from terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) that represent the complex geometry of the surfaces with sufficient accuracy.

Project leader: Ph.D. Eng. Paweł Dąbrowski
Funding awarded: 149 724,00 PLN

2. Project title:  Recognition of obstacles on roadsides in the Warmian-Masurian voivodeship using Artificial intelligence.

Project assumptions: The project aims to enhance road safety in Poland by developing an AIOR-SIDE method that utilises LiDAR data and video images, employing artificial intelligence algorithms for recognising roadside obstacles. The motivation stems from the persistently high rate of road accidents, fatalities, and seriously injured, particularly on regional roads. The European Directive 2019/1936 underscores the need for advanced road safety management, prompting the implementation of proactive measures by 2025. The project's multifaceted approach involves field studies, data calibration, algorithm development, and method creation over a 24-month timeline. External entities will be engaged for LiDAR data collection, and collaboration with AI-focused companies will aid in building a digital image of the roadside. The use of deep learning methods for classification algorithms, particularly in detecting a variety of roadside objects, is central to the methodology. The significance of the project extends beyond national concerns, aligning with EU directives and the National Road Safety Program 2021-2030. The comprehensive work plan is structured into five main tasks, each addressing specific aspects of the project, from data acquisition to spatial database integration. The risk assessment identifies potential challenges, offering mitigation strategies to ensure project success. In summary, the project represents a pivotal step towards modernising road safety management in Poland, contributing to the broader European road safety initiatives. The incorporation of advanced technologies like LiDAR and AI, along with strategic collaborations, positions this endeavor as a promising solution to address the severity of road accidents and enhance overall safety on provincial roads.

Project leader: Ph.D. Eng. Adam Inglot
Funding awarded: 149 860,00 PLN

3. Project title: Determination of a stable reference datum in displacement surveys by using the M_split estimation method and the concept of observation strenghening coefficients in split functional models of observations.

Project assumptions: The main scientific objective of project is develop a parameter estimation method in a split functional model in the context of defining a stable reference datum. During the project, an employee of the Department of Geodesy plans to develop two methods for determining the robust shift between parameters, referring to the principles of M_split estimation. The first one will refer to the model of differences of determined parameters, while the second one will concern the functional model based on the difference of raw observation vectors. The key role will be played by the author's computational strategy, which involves strengthening the process of identifying individual observations with competitive functional models. The research results will enable surveyors to select reliable reference points during the displacement measurement process, especially in in situation of occurrence systematic errors and outliers in the observation material..

Project leader: Ph.D. Eng. Marek Hubert Zienkiewicz
Funding awarded: 113 392,01 PLN

Congratulations to our employees and the other winners!