A novel permanent gauge-cam station for surface-flow observations on the Tiber River

作者：Tauro Flavia; Petroselli Andrea; Porfiri Maurizio; Giandomenico Lorenzo; Bernardi Guido; Mele Francesco; Spina Domenico; Grimaldi Salvatore^*

来源：Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, 2016, 5(1): 241-251.

DOI：10.5194/gi-5-241-2016

Flow monitoring of riverine environments is crucial for hydrology and hydraulic engineering practice. Besides few experimental implementations, flow gauging relies on local water level and surface-flow velocity measurements through ultrasonic meters and radars. In this paper, we describe a novel permanent gauge-cam station for large-scale and continuous observation of surface flows, based on remote acquisition and calibration of video data. Located on the Tiber River, in the center of Rome, Italy, the station captures 1 min videos every 10 min over an area oriented along the river cross section of up to 20.6 x 15.5m(2). In a feasibility study, we demonstrate that accurate surface-flow velocity estimations can be obtained by analyzing experimental images via particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). In medium illumination conditions (70-75 lux), PTV leads to velocity estimations in close agreement with radar records and is less affected by uneven lighting than large-scale particle image velocimetry. Future efforts will be devoted to the development of a comprehensive test bed infrastructure for investigating the potential of multiple optics-based approaches for surface hydrology.

• 出版日期2016