Aerial Lidar

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Aerial Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is aerial mapping technology that uses calibrated laser returns from the earth’s surface are reflected to an overflying GPS-monitored aircraft equipped with on-board positional and IMU sensors. After post-flight production processes, the acquired Lidar Map data determines the precise elevation and geospatial location of features on the earth’s surface. With innovations such as multiple intensity returns and increased pulse repetition rates, Lidar data is an accurate and effective method for creating three-dimensional topographical aerial maps and highly accurate aerial surveys of both surface terrain elements and man-made structures. Many analytical products can be created form Lidar data. Sanborn has developed a custom Lidar Mapping production workflow which adheres to the specifications outlined in the USGS Lidar Base Specifications.

Sanborn Aerial Lidar acquisition platforms include two Hexagon Leica TerrainMapper sensors—a Lidar acquisition system capable of producing high density point cloud data for corridor, urban, flood plain, or general-purpose Lidar data. Leica TerrainMapper newest generation linear-mode Lidar sensor. Leveraging our proprietary aviation, acquisition, and production assets we operate and control our entire Lidar Mapping process workflow—from acquisition to final client approval—ensuring timely delivery of accurate data that’s been subject to rigorous quality standards through every step of the process. Please check out the following video about Lidar applications from The Texas Water Newsroom.

Sanborn Lidar data acquisition and production processes are in compliance with current USGS Lidar Base Specifications. In cases where a Lidar Mapping project’s deliverable requirements exceed or are otherwise outside of the USGS guidelines, in order to ensure the best outcome for the project we can develop and / or work to a set of customized acquisition or delivery specifications. Depending on the project area and specifications, options are available for delivering varying Lidar Mapping point densities.

In addition to Aerial Lidar, Sanborn offers Mobile Lidar products and services, a higher accuracy option when engineering / survey grade Lidar data is required. Mobile Lidar point cloud densities and accuracies exceed deliverables current aerial technologies provide.