JESSICA WEMPEN
· Associate ProfessorVerifiedUniversity of Utah · Mining Engineering
Active 1986–2026
Research topics
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Remote sensing
- Geology
- Mining engineering
- Geomorphology
- Geodesy
- Computer Security
- Finance
- Telecommunications
- Seismology
- Geography
- Transport engineering
- Computer vision
- Business
Selected publications
Engineering Geology · 2026-01-19
articleSenior authorTransforming Uinta Basin Earth Materials for Advanced Products (TUBE-MAP)
2024-12-31
reportOpen accessThe objectives of this project were to quantify, assess, and plan to enable the transformation of Uinta Basin earth resources, such as coal, oil shale, resin, rare earth elements, and critical minerals into high value metal, mineral, and carbon-based products. The specific major goals were 1) basinal assessments and initial planning (Task 2), 2) basinal assessment for waste stream reuse with associated plan development (Task 3), 3) basinal strategies development for infrastructure, industries, and business (Task 4), 4) technology assessment, development, and field-testing plan (Task 5), 5) technology innovation center plan (Task 6), and 6) stakeholder outreach and education plan (Task 7).
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities · 2022-09-19 · 2 citations
articleSenior authorPrecise documentation of as-is status of transportation infrastructures is an essential task for several public transportation agencies. To tackle this task, such agencies have adopted various advanced technologies, such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and as-built documentation purposes. In this research, we study the feasibility of an alternative 3D reconstruction method, photogrammetry, which has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to operate compared to LiDAR. To assess the proposed alternative method in transportation asset-inventory collection, this paper evaluates the feasibility of using photogrammetry in providing an acceptable 3D point cloud model of two important categories of transportation assets: roadway assets and pedestrian access ramps. The analysis of the data quality and associated cost attests to the feasibility of using close-range photogrammetry in pedestrian access ramps inventory, while using this technology as a complementary tool with LiDAR in the mobile setting holds the promise for a feasible roadway asset data collection.
Mining Metallurgy & Exploration · 2022-03-18 · 3 citations
articleHighway Asset and Pavement Condition Management using Mobile Photogrammetry
Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board · 2021 · 38 citations
Senior authorCorresponding- Computer Science
- Transport engineering
- Computer Science
Highway asset condition is of the utmost importance for transportation maintenance and pedestrian safety. Transportation facility managers must have up-to-date information on the status of all transportation assets to keep the transportation facilities operating at their highest level. Because of the sheer volume of transportation assets, an efficient and affordable data-collection procedure is necessary to gather the as-is status of the assets and create an asset inventory. Some pioneer departments of transportation in the United States use mobile Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to monitor highway assets and pavement condition data. Not only is the laser scanning equipment expensive, but the operator in charge of using the equipment must have special technical knowledge that may not be accessible to every individual. More recently, image-based reconstruction, known as photogrammetry, has emerged as a cheaper and simpler technology than LiDAR. Image-based 3D reconstruction can be done using a digital camera, such as a digital single-lens reflex camera or even a smartphone. This paper presents a full review of various research studies conducted on highway asset management and pavement condition assessment using spatial data modeling by the use of LiDAR and photogrammetry. This paper also presents two case studies to fill the current research gap in highway asset inventorying using photogrammetry. The results show the superiority of mobile LiDAR for highway asset inventorying and the possibility of having photogrammetry as a reliable alternative technology only in favorable illumination conditions.
International Journal of Mining Science and Technology · 2020 · 46 citations
1st authorCorresponding- Geology
- Remote sensing
- Geodesy
Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR), a satellite-based remote sensing technique, has application for monitoring subsidence with high resolution over short periods. DInSAR uses radar images to measure centimeter-level surface displacements. In the images, ground resolution can be relatively high, with each data point (pixel) representing the average displacement over an area of several square meters. The image data are acquired regularly which allows subsidence to be monitored sequentially over short periods; imaging periods typically range from weeks to months. Monitoring subsidence over short periods with high spatial resolution has potential to provide insight into the dynamics of subsidence and into relationships between mine advance and subsidence. In this study, for three longwall mines in the western United States, initial subsidence occurring at the start of longwall advance is quantified over short periods (12–72 days). C-band interferometric wide swath Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from the Sentinel satellites are used to quantify the subsidence. Overall, the data show initial development of subsidence, expansion of the subsidence trough, and the advance of subsidence in the direction of mining. Keywords: Longwall mining, Interferometry, Subsidence
Mining Metallurgy & Exploration · 2020-02-14 · 3 citations
articleQuantifying relationships between subsidence and longwall face advance using DInSAR
International Journal of Mining Science and Technology · 2020 · 23 citations
Senior authorCorresponding- Computer Science
- Geology
- Remote sensing
Surface subsidence that results from longwall mining can be large magnitude and can affect significant areas. Conventional methods for subsidence monitoring include leveling, global positioning system (GPS), and photogrammetric surveys. Remote sensing techniques including, aerial LiDAR, terrestrial laser scanning, and satellite-based Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR), are also used to measure deformation associated with subsidence. DInSAR data are different than data from conventional subsidence surveys. Images capture data over large areas (hundreds of kilometers), and each pixel (data point) in an image quantifies the average displacement over an area of square meters. DInSAR data can have fairly high time resolution; imaging periods typically range from weeks to months. DInSAR data can be useful to monitor subsidence sequentially over short periods. Regularly monitoring subsidence may help define if caving is progressing normally and can establish relationships between surface deformation and longwall face advance, which has potential to help quantify possible risks to mine stability. In this study, subsidence at a longwall trona mine is monitored over short periods, typically 12 days, as the longwall face is advanced through a panel. C-band interferometric wide swath synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from the sentinel satellites are used to quantify the subsidence. The onset of subsidence occurs close in time to the beginning of the longwall face advance, and overall, the development of subsidence closely follows the longwall face advance.
Comparison of Mine Subsidence Estimates From Finite Element Modeling with Dinsar Observations
54th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium · 2020-06-28
articleSenior authorMining Metallurgy & Exploration · 2020-07-01 · 6 citations
articleSenior author
Frequent coauthors
- 6 shared
M. K. McCarter
University of Utah
- 3 shared
William G. Pariseau
- 3 shared
Mohammad Farhadmanesh
University of Utah
- 2 shared
Bailey S. Simmons
University of Utah
- 2 shared
R. D. Weyher
University of Utah
- 2 shared
Chandler Cross
University of Utah
- 2 shared
Abbas Rashidi
Institut national de recherche en informatique et en automatique
- 2 shared
Dallan J. Coons
University of Utah
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