Advantages of airborne LiDAR

Speed

Airborne LiDAR acquisition and processing is incredibly fast. When the system is mounted on a helicopter, typically an area of 25m * > 750m will be captured every second. When operating from fixed wing aircraft, the area will be in excess of 50 m * 800 - 1500 m. The processing of LiDAR is rapid compared to other techniques used to generate 3D topographic models, such as photogrammetry. This is due to a requirement for only limited ground verification data and enhanced processing automation.

High resolution

A LiDAR survey emits millions of infrared laser pulses for every route kilometre flown, capturing up to 40 points per square metre. This produces survey data of an unprecedented resolution, and even subtle changes in terrain are recorded. In the example below, a car is viewed in cross section. Surveys points have even been captured for the aerial!

Cost

In most cases aerial LiDAR will present large cost savings when compared to traditional survey methods. Please contact Network Mapping to obtain an indicative price for a survey tailored to your requirements.

Canopy Penetration

The laser beams penetrate the tree canopy, providing information on both the ground surface and any buildings or large objects. This means that we can produce models and maps of the ground even when they are masked by forest.

Move your cursor over the image below to view below the tree canopy!

Non-invasive

Airborne LiDAR enables surveys to be carried out in difficult and vast terrain, where ground survey is simply not feasible. Network Mapping's staff are experts in mobilising in inhospitable environments, and we have worked in Europe, Australasia and the Americas, including the survey of around 800 km2 in the Ecuadorian rainforest and icecaps of Greenland. Previous survey areas include the mountainous regions of Chilean Patagonia, the Alps and the Pyrenees.

Night-time Operation

Airborne LiDAR is an active remote sensing technique as it provides its own energy source and does not rely on the sun. LiDAR surveys can therefore be conducted during the night.