Using RAPID

The RAPID Facility provides access to state-of-the-art reconnaissance equipment and field support for natural hazards investigations. We primarily support NSF- and NIH-funded research teams, and we also work with federal, state, and local agencies and international collaborators studying earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, wildfires, and other extreme events.

To get started, simply submit our standard intake form for equipment requests through our online portal. Our staff will work with you to select appropriate instruments for your research objectives and provide pre-deployment training. Scientific instruments can be shipped directly to your location or handed off in the field.

For investigators writing proposals who are considering incorporating our facility but do not yet have funded research, we offer free consultation services. We are happy to meet with proposal writers at no cost to strategize on developing remote sensing or facility-supported data collection plans that strengthen grant applications.

For additional information, see our Frequently Asked Questions below

What should I do before submitting an equipment request?

Complete these steps first:

What information do I need for my equipment request?

Be prepared to answer:

  • Is your project funded or still in the proposal stage?

  • What equipment categories do you need?

  • What's your experience with the requested equipment?

  • Do you need field assistance from RAPID staff?

  • Do you need data processing support?

  • Do you need pre-deployment training?

Should I request equipment before or after getting funding?

We recommend submitting your equipment request and discussing your needs with RAPID staff BEFORE submitting your research proposal to funding agencies. This helps ensure accurate budget planning and equipment availability.

Who can use RAPID equipment and services?

The RAPID Facility is open to anyone, including academics, government agencies, and others. We support projects funded from various sources. However, NSF/NIH-supported researchers receive priority and subsidized rates since these agencies co-sponsor our facility.

What types of projects receive priority?

Priority is given in this order:

  1. NSF RAPID grants (and equivalent grants from NH-supported entities) responding to major natural hazard events and disasters.

  2. NSF/NIH-supported extreme event reconnaissance organizations

  3. Other NSF/NIH grants

  4. All other users

How much does it cost to use RAPID equipment?

We have different user rates for NSF/NIH-supported users versus other users due to federal subsidization. Review our User Rates and Fees document for current pricing. Users are generally responsible for shipping costs both ways.

How far in advance should I request equipment?

Submit your equipment request as early as possible. For complex deployments or international work, allow extra time for logistics planning, customs arrangements, and potential carnet processing (which requires at least one week).

Do I need special qualifications to use certain equipment?

Yes, for some equipment we require specific qualifications for insurance and safety reasons:

  1. UAVs/Drones: Require an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate

  2. MiniRanger (lidar-equipped UAV): Must be operated by RAPID staff

  3. Z-Boat (unmanned watercraft): Must be operated by RAPID staff

Can I get training on equipment before deployment?

Yes, we can provide training depending on staff availability. We also offer:

  • Annual intensive workshops at University of Washington

  • Online training materials

  • One-on-one pre-deployment training sessions

What if I need help processing the data I collect?

  • We offer data processing support including (among others):

  • High-speed computers built for lidar point cloud processing

  • Structure-from-Motion (SfM) modeling capabilities

  • Staff assistance with data processing (additional fees may apply)

How will I receive the equipment?

You can receive RAPID equipment through several methods:

  • Shipped to your institution before deployment

  • Shipped directly to your field location

  • Pick up at RAPID headquarters (University of Washington)

  • Hand-off from RAPID staff in the field

  • Hand-off from another research team finishing their deployment

What about shipping costs and logistics?

RAPID arranges all shipping but users typically pay shipping costs

We're developing contracts with shipping agents familiar with our equipment

We handle special shipping requirements (batteries, international customs)

Can I take RAPID equipment internationally?

Yes, but special considerations apply:

  • We help with import/export controls

  • Carnets are recommended for international travel (require one week lead time)

  • Battery shipping may have restrictions on international flights

  • Equipment can usually be carried as carry-on baggage domestically

  • For destinations with State Department advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel), special permission from the National Science Foundation is required before deployment

What about batteries for international travel?

RAPID equipment batteries are small enough for carry-on baggage on most domestic flights. For international travel:

  • Verify battery requirements with your airline

  • Air cargo shipping available for most batteries

  • Ground/freight shipping may be required in some cases

What insurance do I need?

You must have general liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage for damages to people and property. Most academic institutions and employers provide this coverage for research activities—check with your institution.

What if equipment gets damaged or lost?

RAPID maintains insurance covering equipment loss and damage under approved use by staff and facility users. However, you're still responsible for demonstrating you have appropriate liability coverage.

What if there's a scheduling conflict with another user?

We use a priority matrix to resolve conflicts, with highest priority given to NSF-supported users responding to critical natural hazards. We try to accommodate all reasonable requests by adjusting schedules when possible.

Matrix establishing priorities for scheduling conflicts for RAPID equipment and resources

How can I see current equipment availability?

The equipment schedule is maintained by the Network Coordination Office and shows current reservations to help you plan your request timing.

The following steps outline the processes and responsibilities involved in publishing RAPID-supported field reconnaissance data.

1. Project Creation

The RAPID Facility or reconnaissance team creates a Project within the DesignSafe Data Depot. Members of the reconnaissance team are added to the project as team members so they can upload and download files from the project.  

2. Data Upload

  • The RAPID facility uploads raw data collected by their instrumentation to a DesignSafe Project, which is created for the reconnaissance activities. 

  • The reconnaissance dataset within the Data Depot should include not only data collected with RAPID resources, but also other observations/data compiled by the reconnaissance team.

3. Curation

The RAPID Facility and reconnaissance team organizes and curates its data within the Project using the Field Research data model. The RAPID Facility’s recommended curation structure is outlined in the RAPID Facility Data Curation and Publication Guide. Users can also consult the DesignSafe Curation and Publication Guides for additional help.

4. Publication

Once curation is complete, the reconnaissance team is responsible for publishing the Project data through DesignSafe. Published data is accessible in the Published tab of the Data Depot and can be cited with an automatically generated digital object identifier (DOI). If data was collected or developed using RAPID equipment and/or resources, the publication MUST acknowledge the facility and NSF support as described in the RAPID user agreement. Field reconnaissance datasets should ideally be published within 3 to 6 months of returning from the field.

Can RAPID staff help me in the field?

Yes, RAPID staff can assist with field data collection for an additional fee. This is required for certain equipment like the miniRanger and Z-Boat.

What if I'm writing a proposal and want to include RAPID services?

We offer free consultation services for proposal writers who don't yet have funded research. We can help strategize data collection plans that strengthen grant applications.

Where can I get more detailed information?