Stevens Advances Coastal Resilience With New Storm Monitoring System

When hurricanes, nor'easters and other coastal hazards strike, the effects on environments and communities can be devastating.

At the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science, researchers are continuing their mission to improve coastal monitoring, disaster preparedness and recovery with the acquisition of the newly launched Stevens Extreme Event Coastal Preparedness and Response System (SEECPRS). The innovative aerial and marine observing system captures critical data before, during and after storms to improve impact forecasts, accelerate disaster response and recovery, and strengthen the long-term resilience of New Jersey’s coastal communities.

Equipped with side-scan sonar, a WAM-V 8 autonomous vessel provides researchers with a detailed view beneath the water's surface, revealing erosion, debris and infrastructure damage.

Specifically, it’s an advanced observational system that looks above and below the waterline to rapidly collect high-resolution data before, during and after the storms.

“Pre-storm data collection allows us to identify and alert local and state decision-makers about vulnerabilities such as dune barriers that are insufficient to prevent significant erosion and potential inundation during storm events,” said Jon Miller, Research Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering. “Post-event, the data allows us to assess the impacts and evaluate our forecasts of things like coastal flooding and beach erosion. It complements Stevens’ existing flood and CoastSea erosion forecasting systems.”

SEECPRS is housed within the Davidson Laboratory, one of Stevens’ oldest research facilities and a leader in coastal engineering for decades.

Mapping the full picture in 3D

In the air, SEECPRS operates an unmanned Harris Aerial H6 drone equipped with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and a high-resolution Sony camera. The LiDAR measures elevation to create highly accurate 3D maps of beaches, dunes and other coastal terrain, while the camera captures crisp imagery for visual inspection, infrastructure assessment and documentation of flooding and storm damage. Because the drone complies with the National Defense Authorization Act, it can also operate in sensitive areas where other platforms may be restricted.

Research Assistant Professor Matthew Janssen prepares to test the WAM-V for deployment, as Stevens expands its coastal monitoring efforts across New Jersey.

On the water, a WAM-V 8 autonomous surface vessel equipped with side-scan sonar maps the seafloor and submerged objects, helping researchers identify erosion, debris and damage. It was purchased through a company that’s part of the GoBlue Center, a renewable energy initiative co-founded by Stevens.

“By combining drones, uncrewed vessels, advanced imaging, sonar and flood sensors, SEECPRS will provide a comprehensive picture of storm impacts that no single instrument could deliver,” said Davidson Laboratory Director Muhammad Hajj, who is also Chair of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering. “Beyond individual storms, the data collected through SEECPRS will improve forecasting models, inform resilient design standards and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term preparation for climate-related issues.”