Lead presenter: Janak Kalaria, ICF
Biography:
Janak Kalaria is a senior director at ICF (NASDAQ: ICFI) and has over a decade of progressive experience in software architecture, system integration and implementation. In his current role, he leads ICF’s Analytics and Emerging Technologies practice. He is passionate about building high-performing customer facing teams focused on business and data analytics and emerging technologies such as UAV/Drone, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for deep learning to deliver sustainable results. He bridges the gap between business and technology with strong business acumen and hands-on advanced analytical and NextGen IT expertise. Mr. Kalaria’s experience includes effectively leveraging emerging technologies to create innovative solutions to empower clients solve their most complex challenges with a global impact. He has architected and developed numerous data-driven analytical platforms for a number of U.S. federal agencies and European Commission as well as Fortune 500 commercial organizations. These innovative solutions have helped ICF’s clients improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, prevent fraud, waste and abuse with various government programs, and improve access to health care in emerging markets.
Damage Assessment of Transportation Infrastructure (e.g. Bridges, Roads, etc.) Post Disaster such as a Hurricane via Drone Enabled Field Data Collection and Visualization
Description
Abstract:
The frequency and severity of natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires have been increasing in recent years. Every such event causes damage to the transportation structures such as bridges, roads, pavements, etc. This damage needs to be assessed to get a handle on the extent and impact of the damage. Physical and logistical roadblocks may get in the way of reaching these structures to do a physical damage assessment. This is where the Drone technology can enable field data collection to capture high resolution images of the damaged structures. Analyzing and visualizing these images can help determine the extent and impact of the damage. Additional data on the damaged structures can be obtained from Department of Transportation (DOT) systems such as Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS), National Bridge Inventory (NBI), etc. to support further analysis. Third party datasets such as Census data and historical traffic volume data can be blended in to determine the impact of the damage to determine which structures need to be prioritized for fixing/repair. An interactive data visualization platform can greatly expedite this decision making process. Drone enabled data collection can also be used to track/monitor the construction/repair process. ICF, my employer, has been helping Puerto Rico with the reconstruction process after the damage caused by category 5 hurricane Maria in 2017. We’ve been using Drones for data collection to enable damage assessment and I will share some of the data visualization products from this project.