Dr Conor Cahalane

    Geography, National Centre for Geocomputation (NCG), Social Sciences Institute (MUSSI)

    Lecturer

    Rhetoric House
    2nd Floor
    7
    (01) 708 3748

    Biography

    Dr Conor Cahalane is a Lecturer in Remote Sensing at the Department of Geography, Maynooth University. His background is in Geomatics, Applied Computing and Geocomputation. Dr Cahalane employs satellite, airborne and UAV remotely sensed data for coastal management, environmental protection, engineering works, forestry surveys and precision agriculture. Conor currently is collaborating with Ordnance Survey Ireland developing a method for automated change detection and map updating using multi-band aerial imagery. Dr Cahalane sits on council for the Society of Chartered Surveyors promoting RS and EO in the Geomatics community in Ireland and was also the Irish MC member on COST Actions ES1309, investigating recent advances in satellites, UAVs and optical sensors.

    Research Interests

    My interests encompass both land and marine - ranging from passive and active remote sensing technologies including multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal, LiDAR and SAR. I utilise data from satellite, airborne, unmanned platforms and terrestrial platforms and combine this data with other spatial data-sets for additional contextual information. Fusing data from multiple sensors on a single platform is a major focus of our research.

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2020 'Studying Submarine Geomorphology in an INFOMAR Priority Bay through the application of Remote Sensing Techniques'
    Cahalane C, Monteys X, Magee A, Hanafin J, Harris P, McCarthy T (2020) 'Studying Submarine Geomorphology in an INFOMAR Priority Bay through the application of Remote Sensing Techniques'. Irish Geography, 53 (1):43-57 [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'A comparison of high-end methods for topographic modelling of a coastal dune complex'
    Suo C.;McGovern E.;Gilmer A.;Cahalane C. (2020) 'A comparison of high-end methods for topographic modelling of a coastal dune complex'. Journal of Coastal Conservation, 24 (4) [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'Identifying artificially drained pasture soils using machine learning and Earth observation imagery'
    Rob O’Hara, Stuart Green, Tim McCarthy, Conor Cahalane, Owen Fenton, Pat Tuohy (2020) 'Identifying artificially drained pasture soils using machine learning and Earth observation imagery'. Journal of Applied Remote Sensing, 14 (3):1-16 [DOI] [Details]
    2020 'Satellite-derived bathymetry in optically complex waters using a model inversion approach and Sentinel-2 data'
    Casal G.;Hedley J.D.;Monteys X.;Harris P.;Cahalane C.;McCarthy T. (2020) 'Satellite-derived bathymetry in optically complex waters using a model inversion approach and Sentinel-2 data'. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 241 [DOI] [Details]
    2019 'Understanding satellite-derived bathymetry using Sentinel 2 imagery and spatial prediction models'
    Casal, G;Harris, P;Monteys, X;Hedley, J;Cahalane, C;McCarthy, T (2019) 'Understanding satellite-derived bathymetry using Sentinel 2 imagery and spatial prediction models'. GIScience and Remote Sensing, [DOI] [Details]
    2019 'Spatially optimised retrieval of 3D point cloud data from a geospatial database for road median extraction'
    Kumar P.;Lewis P.;Cahalane C.;Peters S. (2019) 'Spatially optimised retrieval of 3D point cloud data from a geospatial database for road median extraction'. Journal of Spatial Science, [DOI] [Details]
    2019 'A comparison of Landsat 8, RapidEye and Pleiades products for improving empirical predictions of satellite-derived bathymetry'
    Cahalane C.;Magee A.;Monteys X.;Casal G.;Hanafin J.;Harris P. (2019) 'A comparison of Landsat 8, RapidEye and Pleiades products for improving empirical predictions of satellite-derived bathymetry'. Remote Sensing of Environment, 233 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2018 'Assessment of empirical algorithms for bathymetry extraction using Sentinel-2 data'
    Casal G.;Monteys X.;Hedley J.;Harris P.;Cahalane C.;McCarthy T. (2018) 'Assessment of empirical algorithms for bathymetry extraction using Sentinel-2 data'. International Journal for Remote Sensing, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'Sensor Pods: Multi-Resolution Surveys from a Light Aircraft'
    Cahalane, C; Walsh, D.; Magee, A.; Mannion, S.; Lewis, P.; McCarthy, T (2017) 'Sensor Pods: Multi-Resolution Surveys from a Light Aircraft'. Inventions, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2017 'Data imputation in a short-run space-time series: A Bayesian approach'
    Pforte, L; Brundson, C; Cahalane, C; Charlton, M (2017) 'Data imputation in a short-run space-time series: A Bayesian approach'. Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2016 'Improving MMS performance during infrastructure surveys through geometry aided design'
    Cahalane C.;Lewis P.;McElhinney C.;McNerney E.;McCarthy T. (2016) 'Improving MMS performance during infrastructure surveys through geometry aided design'. Infrastructures, 1 (1) [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2016 'Combining remote temperature sensing with in-situ sensing to track marine/freshwater mixing dynamics'
    McCaul M.;Barland J.;Cleary J.;Cahalane C.;McCarthy T.;Diamond D. (2016) 'Combining remote temperature sensing with in-situ sensing to track marine/freshwater mixing dynamics'. Sensors, 16 (9) [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'Combining 2D mapping and low density elevation data in a GIS for GNSS shadow prediction'
    Cahalane C. (2015) 'Combining 2D mapping and low density elevation data in a GIS for GNSS shadow prediction'. Isprs International Journal Of Geo-Information, 4 (4):2769-2791 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'Optimising Mobile Mapping System Laser Scanner Orientation'
    Cahalane, C;Lewis, P;McElhinney, CP;McCarthy, T (2015) 'Optimising Mobile Mapping System Laser Scanner Orientation'. Isprs International Journal Of Geo-Information, 4 :302-319 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2015 'Spatial Prediction of Coastal Bathymetry Based on Multispectral Satellite Imagery and Multibeam Data'
    Monteys, X;Harris, P;Caloca, S;Cahalane, C (2015) 'Spatial Prediction of Coastal Bathymetry Based on Multispectral Satellite Imagery and Multibeam Data'. Remote Sensing, 7 :13782-13806 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'MIMIC: An Innovative Methodology for Determining Mobile Laser Scanning System Point Density'
    Cahalane, C;McElhinney, CP;Lewis, P;McCarthy, T (2014) 'MIMIC: An Innovative Methodology for Determining Mobile Laser Scanning System Point Density'. Remote Sensing, 6 :7857-7877 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]
    2014 'Calculation of Target-Specific Point Distribution for 2D Mobile Laser Scanners'
    Cahalane, C;McElhinney, CP;Lewis, P;McCarthy, T (2014) 'Calculation of Target-Specific Point Distribution for 2D Mobile Laser Scanners'. Sensors, 14 :9471-9488 [DOI] [full-text] [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2021 'Discovering Space'
    Lonergan, J., Behan, A., McNerney, L., Croasdell, A., McNerney, E., Rickard, A. and Cahalane, C (2021) 'Discovering Space' Surveyors Journal, 10 (4) :28-29. [Details]
    2020 '5*S: Space, Surveyors, Students: STEM and the Sustainable Development Goals'
    Rickard, A., Behan, A., Lonergan, J., McNerney, L., Rickard, A., Croasdell, A., McNerney, E. and Cahalane, C (2020) '5*S: Space, Surveyors, Students: STEM and the Sustainable Development Goals' ETBI Journal of Education, 2 (1) :9-14. [Details]
    2020 'Space, Surveyors and Students'
    Cahalane, C., Behan, A., Lonergan, J., McNerney, L., Rickard, A., Croasdell, A. and McNerney, E. (2020) 'Space, Surveyors and Students' Surveyors Journal, 10 (1) :26-27. [Details]
    2016 'A flood of images'
    Cahalane, C., McGovern, E. and Behan, A. (2016) 'A flood of images' Surveyors Journal, . [Details]
    2016 'Improving Satellite Derived Bathymetry'
    Cahalane, C., Hanafin, J., Monteys, X. (2016) 'Improving Satellite Derived Bathymetry' Hydro International, . [full-text] [Details]
    2016 'Mapping Floods from Space'
    Cahalane, C., McGovern, E. and Behan, A. (2016) 'Mapping Floods from Space' RICS Land Journal, . [full-text] [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2017 Satellite derived bathymetry: mapping the Irish coastline
    Monteys, X., Cahalane, C., Harris, P. and Hanafin, J. (2017) Satellite derived bathymetry: mapping the Irish coastline American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (AGUFM17) New Orleans, , 11-DEC-17 - 15-DEC-17 [Details]
    2014 Estimating missing data in hierarchical space-time series with a short temporal extent
    Charlton, M., Brunsdon, C., Cahalane, C., and Pforte, L. (2014) Estimating missing data in hierarchical space-time series with a short temporal extent GIScience 2014, Vienna [full-text] [Details]
    2013 UAS flight planning—An initial investigation into the influence of VTOL UAS mission parameters on orthomosaic and DSM accuracy
    Cahalane, C. and McCarthy, T. (2013) UAS flight planning—An initial investigation into the influence of VTOL UAS mission parameters on orthomosaic and DSM accuracy Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society Annual Conference [Details]
    2012 MIMIC: Mobile mapping point density calculator
    Cahalane, C and McCarthy, T and McElhinney, CP (2012) MIMIC: Mobile mapping point density calculator Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computing for Geospatial Research and Applications, COM.Geo '12 [full-text] [Details]
    2011 Calculating the Effect of Dual-Axis Scanner Rotations and Surface Orientation on Scan Profiles
    Cahalane, C and McElhinney, CP and McCarthy, T (2011) Calculating the Effect of Dual-Axis Scanner Rotations and Surface Orientation on Scan Profiles MMT’11,‘The 7th International Symposium on Mobile Mapping Technology June 2011, Krakaw, Poland, [full-text] [Details]
    2010 Mobile mapping system performance : An initial investigation into the effect of vehicle speed on laser scan lines
    Cahalane, C and McCarthy, T and McElhinney, CP (2010) Mobile mapping system performance : An initial investigation into the effect of vehicle speed on laser scan lines Remote Sensing & Photogrammety Society Annual Conference - 'From the sea-bed to the cloudtops' September 2010, Cork, Ireland, [Details]
    2010 Mobile mapping system performance : An analysis of the effect of laser scanner configuration and vehicle velocity on scan profiles
    Cahalane, C and McElhinney, CP and McCarthy, T (2010) Mobile mapping system performance : An analysis of the effect of laser scanner configuration and vehicle velocity on scan profiles European laser Mapping Forum - 'ELMF 2010' November 2010, The Hague, Holland, [full-text] [Details]
    2010 Initial results from European Road Safety Inspection (EURSI) mobile mapping project
    McElhinney, CP and Kumar, P and Cahalane, C and McCarthy, T (2010) Initial results from European Road Safety Inspection (EURSI) mobile mapping project ISPRS Commission V Technical Symposium [full-text] [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2017 Marine Observation Research Platform.
    Dáire Walsh, Conor Cahalane & Tim McCarthy (2017) Marine Observation Research Platform. [Poster Presentation], Irish Earth Observation Symposium 2017, Maynooth University, Ireland [Details]
    2017 COPERNICUS: Incorporating Satellite Data in your Project.
    Cahalane, C. (2017) COPERNICUS: Incorporating Satellite Data in your Project. [Oral Presentation], Survey Ireland 2017, Dublin, Ireland [Details]
    2017 Slick Feature Mapping : Monitoring the Irish Coastal Zone and National Waters.
    Cahalane, C. Walsh, D. Magee, A. and McCarthy, T. (2017) Slick Feature Mapping : Monitoring the Irish Coastal Zone and National Waters. [Oral Presentation], Conference of Irish Geographers, University College Cork [Details]
    2017 Development of Remote Sensing Grass Quality Measurement.
    Mohammad Sadegh Askari, Timothy McCarthy, Aiden Magee, Daire Walsh, Conor Cahalane (2017) Development of Remote Sensing Grass Quality Measurement. [Poster Presentation], Irish Earth Observation Symposium 2017, Maynooth University, Ireland [Details]
    2017 Optical remote sensing for bathymetry and seabed mapping in the coast of Ireland (BaSMaI).
    Gema Casal, Xavier Monteys, John Hedley, Paul Harris, Conor Cahalane, Tim McCarthy (2017) Optical remote sensing for bathymetry and seabed mapping in the coast of Ireland (BaSMaI). [Poster Presentation], Irish Earth Observation Symposium 2017, Maynooth University, Ireland [Details]
    2017 The application of UAV (drone) technology to measure bathymetry and topography in coastal and marine environments.
    Farrell E.J., Castro Camba, G., Monteys, X., Cahalane, C., O’Toole, R., and Maguire, D. . (2017) The application of UAV (drone) technology to measure bathymetry and topography in coastal and marine environments. [Poster Presentation], The 5th Irish Geomorphology Scientific Workshop,, GSI, Beggars Bush, Dublin [Details]
    2016 Flood Monitoring: Satellites, Geomatics and Solutions.
    Cahalane, C. (2016) Flood Monitoring: Satellites, Geomatics and Solutions. [Oral Presentation], Survey Ireland 2016, Dublin, Ireland [Details]
    2016 Tracking Dynamics of Freshwater and Marine Water Mixing using Satellite and Flyover Thermal Imaging combined with In-Situ Sensing.
    Margaret McCaul, Jack Barland, Eoghan McNamara, Peter McCluskey, Conor Cahalane, Tim McCarthy and Dermot Diamond (2016) Tracking Dynamics of Freshwater and Marine Water Mixing using Satellite and Flyover Thermal Imaging combined with In-Situ Sensing. [Invited Lecture], Innovation in Environmental Monitoring, University of York, UK [Details]
    2016 Satellite Derived Bathymetry.
    Cahalane, C., Monteys, X., Magee, A., Lewis, P. and McCarthy, T (2016) Satellite Derived Bathymetry. [Poster Presentation], 10th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, MAREi, Cork, Ireland [Details]
    2016 Slick Feature Mapping.
    Cahalane, C., Walsh, D. and McCarthy, T. (2016) Slick Feature Mapping. [Poster Presentation], 10th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, MAREi, Cork, Ireland [Details]
    2016 Marine Remote Sensing.
    Cahalane, C. (2016) Marine Remote Sensing. [Invited Lecture], Atlantic Ocean Climate Scholars Programme, NUI Galway, Ireland [Details]
    2016 TRATEGIES FOR MONITORING GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE INTO KINVARA BAY, GALWAY, IRELAND.
    Margaret McCaul, Jack Barland, Eoghan McNamara, Peter McCluskey, Conor Cahalane, Tim McCarthy, Dermot Diamond (2016) TRATEGIES FOR MONITORING GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE INTO KINVARA BAY, GALWAY, IRELAND. [Poster Presentation], ISEH 2016, ISEG 2016 & Geoinformatics 2016, Galway, Ireland [Details]
    2016 INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL REMOTE AND IN-SITU SENSING: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.
    Margaret McCaul, Jack Barland, Eoghan McNamara, Peter McCluskey, Conor Cahalane, Tim McCarthy, Dermot Diamond (2016) INTEGRATING GEOSPATIAL REMOTE AND IN-SITU SENSING: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES. [Keynote Address], ISEH 2016, ISEG 2016 & Geoinformatics 2016, Galway, Ireland [Details]
    2015 Sensor Pods and Sensor Fusion; Initial Results from an Aerial Survey.
    Cahalane, C. (2015) Sensor Pods and Sensor Fusion; Initial Results from an Aerial Survey. [Oral Presentation], 9th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, Ryan Institute, Galway, Ireland [Details]
    2014 Development of an automated coastal bathymetric methodology using applied remote sensing techniques.
    Cahalane, C., Hanafin, J., Harper, K., Barre, N., O'Kelly, C., Monteys, X. and McCarthy, T (2014) Development of an automated coastal bathymetric methodology using applied remote sensing techniques. [Poster Presentation], 8th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, Maynooth University, Ireland [Details]
    2013 Surveying Featureless Terrain with an Unmanned Aerial System.
    Cahalane, C. (2013) Surveying Featureless Terrain with an Unmanned Aerial System. [Oral Presentation], 7th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, Teagasc Agricultural Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland [Details]
    2012 Mobile Mapping Systems.
    Cahalane, C (2012) Mobile Mapping Systems. [Oral Presentation], Survey Ireland, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland [Details]
    2012 MIMIC : A benchmarking tool for assessing MMS configurations.
    Cahalane, C. (2012) MIMIC : A benchmarking tool for assessing MMS configurations. [Oral Presentation], 6th International Terrestrial Laser Scanner User Meeting, Nice, France [Details]
    2011 Survey Planning - Using a GIS to model obstructions and ascertain satellite visibility.
    Cahalane, C. (2011) Survey Planning - Using a GIS to model obstructions and ascertain satellite visibility. [Oral Presentation], GIS Ireland, Dublin, Ireland [Details]
    2011 State of the art in Mobile Mapping Systems - Applications, Strengths and Weaknesses.
    Cahalane, C. (2011) State of the art in Mobile Mapping Systems - Applications, Strengths and Weaknesses. [Oral Presentation], 5th Irish Earth Observation Symposium, Environmental Protection Agency HQ, Wexford, Ireland [Details]
    2010 Mobile Mapping Systems and Geographic Information.
    Cahalane, C. (2010) Mobile Mapping Systems and Geographic Information. [Oral Presentation], GIS Ireland, Dublin, Ireland [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2011 Open Data Challenge Winner National Digital Research Centre

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Society of Chartered Surveyors Fellow 29-JUL-15 /
    Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Fellow 29-JUL-15 /
    Irish Institution of Surveyors Fellow 01-JAN-05 / 01-NOV-15

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    Society of Chartered Surveyors RPAS Working Group Member 2015 /
    Irish Institution of Surveyors Journal Editor 2008 / 2010
    Irish Institution of Surveyors Treasurer 2012 / 2014
    Society of Chartered Surveyors Remote Sensing and Earth Observation Working Group Chair 2014 /
    COST Action ES1309 Management Committee Member Irish Delegate 2014 /
    iCRAG Council Postdoctoral Representative 2016 /
    Irish Institution of Surveyors Membership Secretary 2005 / 2008

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    Fingal County Council Land Surveyor and GIS Analyst 01-JUN-05 / 01-SEP-09

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2005 Dublin Institute of Technology BSc Geomatics
    2007 Dublin Institute of Technology MSc Applied Computing
    2013 Maynooth University PhD Geocomputation

    Consultancy

      Client Description
    TechWorks Marine
    SFI Industry Fellowship - Satellite Derived Bathymetry collaboration
    Pavement Management Systems
    IRCSET Enterprise Partnership PhD with PMS.
    Geological Survey of Ireland
    GSI Shortcall - Multiresolution Approach to Bathymetric Surveys
    National Roads Authority
    LiDAR Survey Guidelines
    Petroleum Industry Programme
    Slick Feature Mapping

    Outreach Activities

      Description

    Hydro International Publication

    Surveyors Journal Publication on Flood Mapping from Space Link

    Land Journal Publication on flood mapping from space Link

    Presentation on Earth Observation and Remote Sensing for Agriculture and Flooding

    Presentation and outreach at National Ploughing Championships 2016 showcasing EO and RS for agriculture.

    Alumni publication showcasing EO in Ireland Link

    Annual interview on national radio discussing 'the science of christmas' from a mapping perspective.

    Co-Organiser and Co-Chair, 8th Irish Earth Observation Symposium: 2 day event, 200+ national and international attendees (ESA, Google, EARSC, Skybox, Rasdaman GmbH, Trimble, Leica, TOPCON). Maynooth, Ireland, 2014.

    A short piece i wrote on 'careers of the future' was picked up by a national newspaper. Link

    A personal blog documenting my research and aimed at a non-specialist audience. Link

    A personal twitter account charting my research and aimed at a non-specialist audience Link

    Article in national newspaper in supplement on 'The Science of Christmas' Link

    Reviews

      Journal Role
    Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Reviewer
    Giscience And Remote Sensing Reviewer
    Journal Of Surveying Engineering, - Asce Reviewer
    Ieee Transactions On Geoscience And Remote Sensing Reviewer
    Isprs International Journal Of Geo-Information Reviewer

    Teaching Interests

    Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, GIS, Surveying, Geomatics

    Current Lecturing Commitment
    GY641 Aerial Surveys and Drone Operations (10 ECTS)
    GY642 Satellite Remote Sensing/ Earth Observation (20 ECTS)
    GY643 Marine Remote Sensing - INFOMAR (10 ECTS)
    GY314 Environmental Remote Sensing (5 ECTS)
    GY638 GI In Practice (10 ECTS)
    GY635 MSc Work Placement (10 ECTS)
    GY205 UG Field Trip (5 ECTS)

    Past Lecturing Experience

    TU Dublin
    SSPL2012 Photogrammetric Systems (5 ECTS)
         SSPL3008 Remote Sensing     (5 ECTS)
     SSPL3108 Regional Plan     (5 ECTS)
     SSPL1010 Information Technology 2     (5 ECTS) 
         SSPL9077 Research Methods & Dissertn. (30 ECTS) 
    SSPL2007 Mathematical Methods 4     (5 ECTS)
     CONS2009 Setting Out/Dimension Control (10 ECTS)

    Maynooth University
    GY633 - Digital Image processing (Lectures and practicals)
    GY314 - Environmental Remote Sensing (Lectures and practicals)
    GY603 - GIS for Climate Change (Lectures and practicals)

    UCD
    ZOOL40250 - Remote Sensing (module design, lectures and practicals)

    Current Supervision Commitments
    Supervisor 1 x PhD
    Supervisory team on 2 x PhD
    Supervisor of 2 x RA