Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    IESA to create 3D model for Oakwood project

    October 18, 2021
    UNG faculty member Dr. Ali Mehran, left, and students Christopher Sorrell, Max Darling, and Eric Odum prepare to use an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly called a drone, to survey 27 acres of land owned by the city of Oakwood, Georgia.

    Article By: Staff

    University of North Georgia (UNG) students Christopher Sorrell, Max Darling, and Eric Odum stood in an overgrown, vacant field and watched a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly called a drone, complete its route before two larger drones took flight.

    The trio helped Dr. Ali Mehran, assistant professor of earth and geospatial sciences in UNG's Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis, with a survey of 27 acres of land owned by the city of Oakwood, Georgia.

    "I saw on the news that Oakwood was planning a development, and I realized that we have the equipment and personnel they would need," Mehran said. "I contacted city officials and they agreed to collaborate."

    The goal of city planners is to develop the land between the railroad tracks that run parallel to Railroad Street and Flat Creek Road in Oakwood.

    "The blueprints have already been designed for the future buildings," Mehran said. "With our survey, we are going to prepare a 3-D visualization of the future downtown."

    Mehran enlisted students from two different classes — Introduction of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Graphics and Information Visualization — to help. The students jumped at the chance to participate.

    "After spending two years learning remotely or in a hybrid situation because of COVID-19, getting hands-on experience is very helpful," Sorrell said.

    The senior pursuing a degree in environmental and spatial analysis was glad to work outside.

    "By doing this project, I can see the practical applications instead of talking about it in a classroom and reading theory about it," he said.

    Odum, a junior pursuing a degree in environmental and spatial analysis, is excited to help with the development about a mile from UNG's Gainesville Campus. He said he has executed mapping projects before but not a survey on this scale.

    By doing this project, I can see the practical applications instead of talking about it in a classroom and reading theory about it.

    Christopher Sorrell

    UNG senior pursuing a degree in environmental and spatial analysis

    "With this project, we have enough time to develop it and work on something that is going to be useful and productive for the city of Oakwood," the 25-year-old from Between, Georgia, said. "To me, there is nothing better than that."

    Mehran explained the survey was the first step of the multiphase project. The first step, though, involved very high-tech and expensive equipment such as the global navigation satellite system (GNSS), Lidar, multi-spectral sensor, and a trio of drones. Darling, a freshman pursuing a degree in film and digital media, was astounded by the drones' sizes.

    "I have a drone at home, but when I saw these … I thought 'I'm never going to fly them,'" the 18-year-old from Winder, Georgia, said.

    He, Darling and Sorrell helped set up each drone, scanned the skies as it circled the air, collected data, and scribbled down notes from Mehran about possible adjustments. Mehran said this physical work will help the students with their future careers.

    "By the end of the fall semester, the students will have completed a 3-D survey project and the city of Oakwood will have all the data and visuals they need for their development," he said.

    Contact the Author

    Career Path Fair  returns to UNG

    Career Path Fair returns to UNG

    The fifth annual Career Path Fair exposed about 875 seventh-graders to local businesses March 16-17 at UNG's Gainesville Campus.
    Ethics events provide training for students

    Ethics events provide training for students

    UNG's Ethics Bowl team participated in its national competition March 4-5, and UNG's cadet Ethics Bowl team will host the first Senior Military College Ethics Bowl on March 25.
    Students present research at Capitol

    Students present research at Capitol

    Four UNG students presented at the Posters at the Capitol event held Feb. 27 in Atlanta. The Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective organized the event.
    Chand publishes paper on Nepal

    Chand publishes paper on Nepal

    UNG assistant professor Dr. Bibek Chand published a discussion paper through the Institute of South Asian Studies.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel