Aerial technology is an effective way to obtain precise data across many different types of terrain, for many different types of popular land survey types. LiDAR is one of the technologies used, and its benefits and applications make it one of the core tools for this type of service.
Let’s talk about it in greater detail.
About LiDAR
LiDAR stands for “Light Detection and Ranging.” Rather than use traditional video and photographic imaging, LiDAR uses laser pulses.
Mounted on drones, lidar sends a rapid series of laser pulses towards the ground. Those light waves bounce of objects (trees, buildings, and other terrain) and the light bounces back and returns to a sensor.
By measuring the time it takes for each pulse to return, the LiDAR system can calculate the exact distance between itself and the land it is sensing. Within a short time, this system can calculate millions of data points (called a point cloud) that is capable of mapping detailed terrain.
Specialized software processes these points into digital elevation models (DEMs), topographic maps, or 3D reconstructions of the surveyed area.
Benefits of LiDAR in Aerial Surveying
LiDAR complements many other types of land survey data collection tools by offering advantages that help support obtaining more accurate data. For example, LiDAR:
- Penetrates Vegetation – LiDAR can filter through tree canopies to map the ground surface below, making it useful for environmental information.
- Works in Low Light & Challenging Conditions – LiDAR doesn’t depend on sunlight and can operate at night or in shadowed areas.
- Extreme Precision – LiDAR delivers centimeter-level precision, useful in engineering, flood modeling, and infrastructure planning.
- Fast Data Collection – Covers large areas quickly, reducing fieldwork time and project costs.
This type of data collection can be valuable across a wide range of applications. It’s used in construction and engineering, agriculture, urban planning – all to provide precision data that helps projects continue forward.
LiDAR and Aerial Land Surveying
LiDAR has made it possible to collect precise data quickly, and obtain that data with pinpoint precision. Whether for construction, environmental studies, or urban planning, its ability to “see through” obstacles and generate precise 3D models makes it a valuable tool as part of your data collection efforts.
If you need LiDAR for your next projects, please reach out to our team today.