Pump track analysis

Supervisor

Assoz Prof Dr Hermann Klug (hermann.klug@plus.ac.at)

Short description

The given topic is related to spatial analysis in the domain of mountainbiking. Within mountainbike sports, pump tracks became increasingly popular and have recently been established in many regions. Among them are two local pump tracks; one in Wals Siezenheim and one in Koppl. In Koppl, a recent drone flight has been organised to capture the pumptack in very high-resolution pictures. The numerous pictures should be used to create a very high-resolution digital elevation model (cm resolution) with e.g. Agisoft PhotoScan. Afterwards, the pump track should be analysed according to spatial parameters. A representation as a representative 3d model accessible via a web browser would also be an option.

Objectives

• To parametrise a pumptrack based on drone made pictures
• To examine the pumptrack setup geomorphologically
• To analyse the parameters e.g. using eCognition rulsets or other technologies
  
• To extract the parameters via an automated workflow
• To ensure transferability of analysis to other pumptracks (e.g. the one in Wals Siezenheim)
• To establish a 3D model virtually accessible via a browser interface

Hypothesis

• Spatial relations and related topology matter in pump track design
• Automated processing of DEM with eCognition is possible for parameterisation

Research questions

• What is the surface sealed area measured in 2D versus 3D?
• Assuming that 20 cm of asphalt is used for the pump track design; what is the total volume of asphalt needed to build up the pump track?
• Pump tracks are a sequence of waves with valleys and peaks; what is the distance between two valleys and/or two peaks?
• Are these distances between two valleys and/or two peaks changing with the relative height of a wave?
• Is there a particular relation between the distance between two valleys and/or two peaks and their relative height?
• Are there deviations from this relation on the course of the established pump track in Koppl?
• What are the horizontal and vertical radiuses applied to the pump track? Are they all the same or do they vary within the overall course?
• For sport enthusiasts

o   Hypothesis: The ideal riding line on a pump track depends on parameters like bike wheel/bike size (e.g. 29"), riding speed, radius/curvature, bike angle to the underground, and centrifugal forces. This riding line can be retrieved automatically from a digital elevation model (DEM) using eCognition rulesets!

o   Question: What is the ideal riding line at maximum speed on the pump track with a 29" bike?

• Before mentioned questions are based on a cm resolution DEM; what would be the minimum (coarser) spatial resolution required to perform above-mentioned analysis? Is there a particular spatial (threshold) resolution, at which analysed parameters are changing significantly?

Preconditions

Interest in (automated) raster based spatial analysis and solid knowledge in geoinformatics. Particular interest should be available in working with aerial pictures and digital elevation models. Knowledge with Agisoft PhotoScan and eCognition would be good, but is not mandatory.

Planned start

Any time