Qualia test sites | Operational support | UAS Centre of Excellence

Scenarios description

The very first RPAS test site in Canada, Qualia allows you to test your platforms and sensors, train your staff and qualify your company in your field of expertise, all in over 20 realistic scenarios. This reflects the needs of the following industries:

Public Safety
Emergency Management
Agriculture
Forestry and Mining
Oil and Gas
Hydroelectricity

Various infrastructures, including standards and parameters, have been accurately reproduced in collaboration with each of the above industries.

Analysis of harmful and dangerous products spills

In progress

need

Conduct data collection (in open or restricted environments), identify the presence, chemical composition, flow rate, harmful and hazardous elements, assist in decision-making in emergency spill situations.

recreated environment

Various sites such as roads near buildings or in a wooded area.

possible evaluations

The data collected makes it possible to identify the concentration points of the spill and map the perimeter of the spill, in addition to taking samples when necessary.

Collisions/run-off-road accidents

In progress

need

Collect all the necessary information and evidence in the event of a road accident on a motorway or in an urban area. The RPAS allows you to collect data from a different point of view and to reduce the time of realization.

recreated environment

The site includes an intersection, a sharp bend and two lanes representing a highway to recreate different scenarios such as a frontal collision or a road runoff. All the elements to recreate situations are provided: damaged cars, debris and ground tracks, signage, etc.

possible evaluations

Collect all necessary data such as distances between objects, traces, marks, debris, positioning, damage, etc., thus helping to reconstruct an accident.

Firefighting

In progress

need

Observation of fire areas, collection of data on the condition and evolution of the fire.

recreated environment

The assessment will take place in or around a steel building specially designed by the City of Alma Fire Department on the Qualia site.

possible evaluations

Provide real-time information, observation and communication to the command centre.

Fire detection

In progress

need

recreated environment

possible evaluations

Building inspection

In progress

need

Determine the 3D dimensions of buildings in order to reproduce them, carry out inspections to detect imperfections and defects, elaborate maintenance plans, etc.

recreated environment

Various structures such as houses and buildings.

possible evaluations

Accurately measure building dimensions (surveying) and identify any defects in the structure.

Road and railway inspection

In progress

need

Review civilian infrastructure in order to reconstruct them, detect imperfections and defects, elaborate maintenance plans, etc.

recreated environment

A 200-metre section of highway and a 200-metre railroad track are located on the site.

possible evaluations

Identify the extent of defects present on road and rail infrastructure such as corrosion, subsidence, damage, lack, etc.

Research and identification of people in urban areas

In progress

need

Search for people in the event of manhunts, crimes, thefts, hostage-taking, gatherings, etc.

recreated environment

Houses and commercial buildings with realistic layouts are located on the site to recreate an urban environment.

possible evaluations

Observe crowds or criminal situations inside or outside buildings.

Search and rescue

In progress

need

Search for people lost in the wild or on water using thermal signature or other methods.

recreated environment

A very large wooded area is located near the Qualia site, allowing research to be recreated in a forest environment. It will also be possible to carry out search and rescue operations in aquatic and restricted environments, thanks to the CED flight zones, the vastness of Lac Saint-Jean (1,041 square kilometres) and the presence of dams.

possible evaluations

Find individuals in forest, aquatic or hostile environments.

Agriculture

in progress

need

Control seed growth, know the composition of the fields, establish production volumes, detect possible problems such as insects and fertilizer needs, identify areas that are overly or not sufficiently irrigated, etc.

recreated environment

The fields around the test site are used to carry out this scenario. Some fields are plowed and others have a specific crop according to customer needs (oats, canola, wheat, potatoes, blueberries, etc.).

possible evaluations

Plan field levelling, make an inventory of the plant species, determine the crop’s health status using multispectral, high resolution or microtopography mapping.

Volume calculations

in progress

need

Accurate assessment of material volumes for inventory management and supply.

recreated environment

A space is reserved to calculate different materials (stones, crushed stones, wood chips, logs, etc.). Some mounds are located in restricted areas such as on the edge of a forest road.

possible evaluations

Calculate the volume of mounds and storage areas in open and restricted environments.

Flood waters

in progress

need

Identify damage caused by flooding, provide flood models and forecasts, etc.

recreated environment

A real environment near water.

possible evaluations

The purpose of drones in the context of flood waters is to analyze the water level changes of a river over a given period of time in order to assess potential flood sites and efficiently deploy field operations.