Zephyr UAS, Inc. (ZUI) provided collection services for 42 miles of ortho-rectified photogrammetry and mapping in support of the environmental and preliminary engineering analysis of the high speed rail in southern California. This urban corridor is the most challenging of the 500 mile system being planned by the State Authority due to the fact that the system will co-exist with commuter rail trains, intercity trains and freight trains. ZUI utilized a fixed-wing survey-grade aerial mapping UAV because of its accuracy and high definition products.


ZUI was able to reduce the aerial collection time frame by half when compared to a conventional manned aircraft approach by using our UAV and UAS platform. 

California High-Speed Rail 

Burbank to Los Angeles Segment and Los Angeles to Anaheim Segment

Zephyr UAS, Inc. (ZUI) provided video services to document the existing conditions of the right-of-way before future high speed rail tracks are installed in the Central Valley. This segment of the high speed rail will be the first of a 500-mile system planned for the State of California and will be the first system operating in the United States.  


ZUI utilized its photography and videography quadcopter for the project due to the high definition video produced by the UAV.

CSX Railroad

Acca Yard

  • Location:  Richmond, VA
  • Date Completed:  April 2015
  • Services Provided:  Aerial Mapping

Southern California Regional Rail Authority

Metrolink Coastal Mapping

  • Location:  San Clemente, CA
  • Date Completed:  October 2015
  • Services Provided:  Aerial Mapping
  • Location:  Central Valley, CA
  • Date Completed:  September 2015
  • Services Provided:  Pre-condition Survey

Zephyr UAS, Inc. (ZUI) provided collection services for 5 miles of ortho-rectified photogrammetry and mapping of Metrolink’s coastal corridor in San Clemente, CA. This portion of the commuter rail system is next to the Pacific Ocean. With upcoming “El Nino” conditions, Metrolink utilized the mapping to assess railroad infrastructure and to implement plans to protect vulnerable portions of the railroad from the coastal influence of the upcoming storms. ZUI used a fixed-wing survey-grade aerial mapping UAV because of its accuracy and high definition products.

Zephyr UAS, Inc. (ZUI) provided mapping services to the railroad to plan for additional capacity of the yard whose rail traffic volume is too high to be able to survey from the ground. The products were used to prepare the preliminary engineering of additional mainline and yard tracks and to prepare exhibits for permitting and funding applications. ZUI utilized a fixed-wing UAV because of its accuracy and high definition products.

PAST AND CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Location:  Southern California
  • Date Completed:  November 2015
  • Services Provided:  Aerial Mapping

California High-Speed Rail

Central Valley, CA