Equipment

Who Can Use CAST Field Equipment

CAST field equipment and associated software is available for non-commercial use by:

1. faculty, staff and students who are collaborating with the Center on funded research at the University of Arkansas and other institutions;
2. students who need access to equipment for a class project, thesis, dissertation, or other research project;
3. faculty and/or instructors who need equipment for in-class use.

Priority will be given to sponsored research led by or in close collaboration with CAST. The costs associated with the use of CAST field equipment are estimated and charged based on the actual time and effort required of CAST faculty and staff to prepare, operate and/or train users, and assist with post-processing of data collected. In all cases, before planning or proposing equipment use, please schedule a consultation.

Scheduling a Consultation

Scheduling a consultation assists you in making the best and most rigorous use of CAST field equipment resources. Consultations include:

1. an opportunity to discuss how CAST field equipment, faculty, and staff can assist you in fulfilling your research goals and objectives ;
2. establishment of best practices for equipment use and maintenance, including for classroom and training settings;
3. discussion of software needs and availability for field and post-processing of resulting data;
4. securing your equipment reservation with sufficient faculty and staff time to prepare the equipment.

Prior to the consultation, you should also consider time that may be required for testing and/or receiving training on the equipment, as well as time upon return for download or processing of data using the requested equipment.

Schedule a Consultation

Equipment Condition and User Responsibility

CAST field equipment have been purchased using a combination of internal and external funding to benefit the education and research community. CAST strives to maintain all equipment in peak operating condition, and requests that all users do the same. The following are standard expectations for equipment users:

• Equipment must be returned in clean condition. All dirt and dust should be removed from the items prior to check-in. If instruments require professional cleaning due to internal contamination while under the user's care, the user will be responsible for these costs.
• Report any broken or missing equipment. If during the use of the equipment you find that it is not functioning properly, fails to function, or that parts are missing, please report this information immediately.
• Traveling with or shipping equipment requires advance planning and consideration. The user should be prepared to pay for the charges associated with shipping (outgoing and return), including additional insurance during shipment and any required packing materials.
• Export control review is required when traveling internationally with University equipment. Visit Research Integrity and Compliance, Export Control for more details.

Damaged or Lost Equipment

The University of Arkansas Risk and Property Management Building and Property Insurance Policy covers damage or loss to all scheduled field equipment, with a deductible of $25,000. The lead unit responsible for funding, and/or the home department of faculty, staff, and students may be liable for any damage or loss up to the cost of this deductible.

Please note that some countries are excluded from coverage under the Building and Property Policy. If the location where you plan to use equipment is not covered by the policy, you may seek an additional policy or assume full liability for the equipment.

The CAST field equipment and associated software collection is focused on applied research with LiDAR, remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, and geospatial interoperability. CAST maintains field equipment and associated software to support spatial data acquisition in a variety of real-life settings, including terrestrial and airborne collection, with particular focus on novel applications.

Geodetic positioning and topographic survey

• Emlid Reach RS2+ L1/L2/L5 RTK GNSS receivers (2) - survey-grade GNSS receivers can be used in 2-receiver RTK mode or with cellular real-time correction services
• Trimble R2 L1/L2 RTK GNSS receiver (1) - survey-grade GNSS receiver which uses a satellite-based correction service (Trimble Centerpoint RTX) for real-time correction
• Leica Geosystems GS15 RTK GNSS receiver (4) + CS15 data loggers (4) - survey-grade systems that can be used in 2-receiver RTK mode, autonomously, or individually with cellular real-time correction services
• Trimble 5600 robotic total station - automated single-user surveying with long-range prisms