Bird's eye view
1 Feb, 2008 By: Jack Zoken Landscape ManagementFast, free and easy access to overhead imagery is available via Internet services like Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth. It's changing the way many small businesses operate. Roofers and solar panel installers can estimate the size of a job or generate a lead by remotely measuring a roof. Similarly, businesses involved with pool servicing, fencing, deck upgrades, pressure cleaning, windows and siding installation can realize productivity improvements. Not surprisingly, the landscape professional can also benefit from this new technology.
 FIGURE A |
Generating a quote
If the goal is to generate a simple quote (e.g. based on turf size) for, say, a residential or commercial property, you can see and measure it in overhead ortho-imagery. Start by geo-locating the property, tying the address to a position on the street, either by consulting the prospect or working with a company that provides rooftop geocoding capabilities such as Group One, Whitegold Solutions or Address Points. (Services such as Google-Earth or Microsoft Virtual Earth only approximate the position of the property based on an address.)
Next, the property is measured in a geographic information system (GIS), either by the landscape professional or a third-party service, and the turf is represented as a series of polygons.
The parcel boundary is outlined in black and the turf boundary is outlined in green (see Figures A & B below). Maintaining the turf information in this manner provides more than just square footage. The schematic can be used to generate a quote (based on total turf size and layout), but it's also great sales collateral and valuable information to share with customers.
 FIGURE B |
Sample commercial schematic
This technology makes it possible to offer a more sophisticated quote, say for commercial applications, using both high-resolution oblique imagery and ortho-imagery. Also consider relevant components such as turf, walkway edging, beds, tree maintenance and obstructions within the turf or landscape.
A sample of a commercial schematic is provided in Figure B. Schematics are captured in CAD or GIS systems (like Google Earth) and are intended to describe 'landscaping relevant' portions of a property. The level of detail in the schematics will vary.
For example a light-green-bordered polygon in a schematic may represent the turf. A yellow-border polygon represents turf outside a fence. The two turf types may be classified differently based on how they're maintained. A blue border could make polygons representing obstructions. Trees may be marked as points — green points representing small trees and purple points representing evergreens. While the detail in a schematic can vary, high resolution overhead and oblique imagery is available for more than 80% of the United States. The technology makes it possible for marking shrubs and garden beds.
Commercial schematics will likely have more varied uses than residential schematics. A commercial quote might require hours on site and the expectation is, in many cases, an 'overhead-imagery-based schematic' will expedite a quote. Moreover, a schematic becomes a record of the landscape, and in its electronic form, can easily be communicated between landscaper and customer. Standard GIS and CAD schematics can be converted to Google-Earth format. This provides a virtually universal way to exchange landscape information about a property.
 Overhead imagery: Oh the possibilities |
Measuring turf
Landscape professionals and equipment companies try to target prospects' properties based on a number of characteristics, often starting with the size of the turf area. Turf size dictates equipment needs (type of mower/tractor), irrigation requirements and the amount of product, such as fertilizer, required.
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