RCOAST provides 4D coastal intelligence by using drone and aircraft LiDAR and multispectral surveys to generate high‑resolution elevation data, change‑detection maps, and performance scores for shoreline mitigation projects. Its web‑based dashboard transforms this data with machine‑learning into interactive visualizations, predictive models, and global benchmarks, enabling coastal managers to assess conditions, track intervention effectiveness, and optimize spending.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Coastal communities invest billions in mitigation projects but lack reliable, ongoing data on shoreline changes and the effectiveness of those interventions, leading to misallocated funds and continued risk from erosion and storms.
Solution
RCOAST provides high‑resolution, 4D coastal intelligence by capturing detailed LiDAR and multispectral data with drones and aircraft, then processing it through machine‑learning algorithms into actionable maps, performance scores, and predictive models. The resulting web‑based dashboard presents this information in clear visual formats that coastal managers can use to assess current conditions, monitor mitigation projects over time, and compare outcomes with similar regions worldwide. Continuous monitoring creates a feedback loop that quantifies the ROI of protection measures, supports grant applications, and informs proactive adaptation strategies. By centralizing data ownership with the community and enabling global knowledge sharing, RCOAST helps decision‑makers allocate resources more efficiently and protect coastal assets.
Target Audience
Primary users are coastal managers, municipal officials, and community leaders responsible for shoreline protection, as well as environmental consultants and academic researchers needing precise coastal change data.
Features
- Drone and aircraft surveys equipped with LiDAR and multispectral imaging deliver centimeter‑scale elevation and spectral data across the entire shoreline
- Automated machine‑learning pipelines transform raw point clouds into interactive 3D models, change‑detection maps, and quantitative mitigation performance scores
- Web dashboard accessible via any browser provides real‑time visualizations, trend graphs, and predictive forecasts without requiring specialized software
- Global comparison engine links communities to similar coastal environments, offering cost‑benefit benchmarks and lessons learned from worldwide projects
- Flexible monitoring schedules (quarterly, seasonal, or custom) allow users to track interventions and natural changes at the desired frequency
- Built‑in data privacy controls ensure that all collected data remain the property of the community and are shared only with authorized stakeholders