RCOAST

RCOAST equips coastal communities with their own data-driven coastal science team, combining high-resolution drone data with advanced geospatial analytics to measure how well erosion mitigation strategies are actually performing in real-world conditions. Through LiDAR–RGB monitoring and structured performance scoring, RCOAST replaces anecdotal observations with clear, defensible evidence—helping cities understand what is working, what is falling short, and where to prioritize future investment to protect shorelines, infrastructure, and public resources.

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Rather than relying on static reports or one-time assessments, RCOAST provides continuous, comparable data over time. This allows communities to evaluate changes season by season, quantify the effectiveness of different interventions, and build a stronger foundation for both internal decision-making and external funding justification.

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The 15-month no-cost, low-risk project is designed to give communities a complete, end-to-end understanding of their coastal mitigation performance. It includes baseline assessments, ongoing monitoring, and structured reporting that translates technical data into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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Communities can expect:

• Eight high-resolution LiDAR–RGB drone surveys conducted across two selected coastal sites, enabling consistent tracking of shoreline change, erosion patterns, and mitigation performance over time.

• Performance scoring and ROI metrics for each mitigation strategy, helping communities identify which approaches are delivering measurable impact and which may require adjustment or replacement.

• Interactive 4D visualizations and communication graphics, designed to support internal planning, stakeholder alignment, and public transparency by clearly illustrating changes over time.

• A comprehensive final report that consolidates all findings, supporting grant applications, regulatory reporting, and long-term resilience and capital planning efforts.

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All equipment and monitoring technology remain the property of RCOAST throughout the project period, minimizing operational burden and cost for participating communities. In return, communities are asked to select two coastal mitigation sites, provide site access and coordination support, and designate a primary point of contact to ensure smooth collaboration.

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The project concludes with a final workshop and delivery of all datasets, analysis, and recommendations. At that stage, communities will have a clear, evidence-based understanding of their coastal strategy performance, along with the option to continue monitoring and explore a longer-term partnership with RCOAST.