Infrasense Conducts a Survey to Map the Location of Buried Trolley Tracks in Syracuse, NY

SYRACUSE, N.Y., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a remarkable blend of history and innovation, Infrasense successfully detected long-buried tracks beneath a street in Syracuse, New York. Using 3D Ground Penetrating Radar (3DGPR), in-place trolley tracks were precisely mapped. The existence of these tracks was originally discovered during a review of the historical records, which provided the motivation for the 3DGPR survey.

The survey was carried out using a vehicle mounted Impulse Radar systems Raptor-45 450-MHz 3DGPR array. The 6-foot wide antenna uses an 18-antenna array to image the subsurface in 3-dimensions directly under its footprint. Survey control was provided using an electronic distance measuring instrument (DMI) and internal high precision GPS, integrated into the data collection system. The survey required a total of 12-passes to allow for sufficient overlap of adjacent data files.

The GPR analysis was completed by the bulk processing and assembly of individual GPR records into representative 3-Dimensional models. This 3D volume is reviewed in plan-view by slicing through individual depth values and mapping the limits of GPR targets. Identifiable sets of trolley tracks and rail sleepers were indicated by contrast at the interface of the different materials detected by GPR. The 3D dataset was analyzed and "picked" to extract the position of potential embedded trolley tracks and sleepers, and the limits of their position.

Identified targets were delineated and exported as Latitude and Longitude for use in mapping software such as Google Earth or GIS. The results of this survey included location, length and depth information for each section of buried track, presented in tabular format.

About Infrasense, Inc. Since 1987, Infrasense, Inc. has applied advanced technologies to address the most difficult challenges in subsurface scanning. Infrasense's engineers nondestructively extract critical information from a diverse range of structures. In addition to providing ongoing subsurface evaluation services to clients across the country, the firm has also conducted numerous research programs to advance the field of subsurface detection and nondestructive evaluation. To learn more about Infrasense and the services we provide, visit our website: http://www.infrasense.com 

SOURCE Infrasense, Inc.