The Trimble Technology Lab at Washington State University is set to support a new interdisciplinary initiative focused on reality capture technologies, offering access to high-precision surveying equipment to enhance education and research across campus. The initiative, led by Dr. Hongtao Dang, who is an Assistant Professor at the School of Design and Construction, brings together faculty, students, and industry partners in an effort to create a digital model of the WSU campus and integrate reality capture tools into curriculum and facility management workflows.
As part of the effort, the Trimble Technology Lab will facilitating access to specialized equipment—including the Trimble Total Station S5, GNSS receiver, and Trimble RealWorks software—critical for the pilot phase of the project.
The initiative will generate datasets through techniques such as LiDAR scanning, photogrammetry, and scan-to-BIM modeling. The pilot will begin with a comprehensive scan of Carpenter Hall, producing digital assets that will be used in courses such as CSTM 254, CSTM 483, and BIM-integrated studios in future semesters.