OVS - An Outdoor Modelling and Verification System for Fast and Accurate Survey and Verification of Nuclear Sites

When a nuclear installation enters a Safeguards regime, it is important to provide a description of the premises in a cost-effective manner. This paper describes an outdoor modelling and verification system - OVS - developed under the research programme associated to the European Commission's Support Programme to the IAEA. The OVS consists of a 3D laser range scanner, high-resolution digital photography or video, geo-location system (e.g., GPS or Galileo) and an inertial navigation system. The complete OVS is easily mounted on a vehicle roof bars, or on any mobile transport system (e.g., scooter). The OVS integrates models using data acquired at ground level with airborne and/or satellite data. For complete modelling, i.e., both indoors and outdoors, the OVS could complement the already operational 3 Dimensional Laser Range Finder system (3D-LRFD) that is currently used by the IAEA to accurately map the interiors of complex facilities for the purpose of performing design information verification (DIV). The paper describes the OVS architecture and recent demonstration examples. Also discussed are the integration and navigation capabilities of the high resolution 3D models 'as is' with geographical information systems and associated databases and layers. The result is a spatially accurate image that not only is useful for design verification but could also be relevant for the training and preparation of inspections.JRC.G.8-Nuclear safeguard