Computer Assisted Radar Tomography – True Value Or Just Pretty Pictures

Computer Assisted Radar Tomography (CART) is a new technology that can deliver images of<br>the subsurface with an unparalleled level of accuracy and detail. Based on the physics of Ground<br>Penetrating Radar (GPR), CART can image objects of any material including metallic and non-metallic<br>utilities, valves, drums, trenches, underground storage tanks, paved over manholes and railroad tracks.<br>The CART system is tied to a total station with auto tracking capabilities for precise positioning. The<br>benefit of CART is that high density, accurately positioned data can be collected in a fairly short amount<br>of time. State-of-the art processing software is then used to create time slices and 3-D images of the<br>subsurface. Customers that are used to looking at wiggly GPR lines are often awed by the clarity and<br>the life likeness of CART images. But where is the true value for the customer? What problems can we<br>solve with CART that we cannot with GPR or can we do the same job quicker and cheaper with CART?<br>This paper will highlight our company’s experience with GPR and CART on a variety of projects and<br>discuss the strengths and limitations of both methods.