CORE by GVL: A Smarter Approach to Ground Motion Monitoring

Ground movement is often subtle, but its impact can be significant. Whether it’s infrastructure settling over time, terrain shifting due to climate conditions, or environmental zones undergoing gradual change, understanding these dynamics is essential. For many sectors - transport, construction, land management - timely and reliable ground monitoring isn’t just beneficial; it’s critical to safety, sustainability, and long-term planning. 

In response to these demands, GVL has developed CORE (COrner Reflector Enabled Remote Sensing), an integrated, scalable system that delivers accurate ground motion monitoring across a wide range of landscapes. CORE combines advanced satellite radar techniques, high-precision ground instrumentation, and streamlined data analysis into a single, deployable service. 

Integrated Technology, Designed for Real-World Conditions 

Traditional methods of ground monitoring often involve costly fieldwork and complex logistics, particularly in hard-to-access or environmentally sensitive areas. CORE addresses these challenges by merging several complementary technologies to provide a clearer, more complete picture of surface movement, without the need for constant on-site presence. 

The project integrates All-Terrain InSAR (AT-InSAR) for wide-area deformation tracking, Persistent Scatterer InSAR (PSInSAR) for high-resolution monitoring of targeted sites, and remote sensing data to provide essential environmental context. GNSS-equipped corner reflectors serve as stable reference points, enhancing accuracy even in areas where natural radar reflectors are insufficient. 

This multi-layered approach ensures that CORE can operate effectively across diverse environments, from densely built urban corridors to vegetated rural landscapes. Once deployed, the system continuously collects and processes data, allowing changes to be detected early and visualised through a dedicated platform. The result is a practical, data-rich service that supports faster, better-informed decision-making. 

Supporting Safer Infrastructure and Sustainable Development 

CORE has been designed not just to solve technical problems, but to support broader operational goals. Its modular design, reliance on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, and remote functionality make it a cost-effective and low-impact solution, ideal for organisations looking to modernise their monitoring capabilities while reducing fieldwork requirements. 

While the project is still in its early stages, CORE has been developed with future applications in mind, particularly in sectors such as high-speed rail development and peatland preservation. These areas present clear opportunities for scalable, low-impact ground motion monitoring, and form part of GVL’s long-term vision for the platform. 

As CORE begins its journey from development to deployment, it reflects GVL’s broader commitment to advancing geospatial monitoring in a way that is both practical and forward-thinking. With growing interest in more efficient, scalable ground motion solutions, CORE is well positioned to become a key part of how we help clients manage risk, plan more effectively, and meet the challenges of a changing landscape. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to where CORE will take us next.