LASER ALTIMETRY: FROM SCIENCE TO COMMERICAL LIDAR MAPPING

Laser altimetry, which is also referred to in the commercial sector as lidar mapping, can rapidly generate dense, accurate, digital models of the topography and vertical structure of a target surface. It is becoming a popular operational tool in the fields of remote sensing, photogrammetry, surveying and mapping because it offers unique technical capabilities, lower field-operation costs, and reduced post-processing time and effort compared with traditional survey methods. However, although the adoption of laser altimetry by the commercial sector has grown rapidly during the past five years, the transition from science to an operational remote sensing tool has not been easy. Lidar mapping is still regarded with skepticism by many mainstream end users because of early experiences of poor data, failure to meet specifications, repeatedly missed schedules and hidden costs. This article provides an overview of commercial lidar mapping development, specifications and pricing. Five key areas that will have significant impact in the next five years on laser altimetry from both a commercial and academic point-of-view are highlighted: higher density data, commercial off-the-shelf software, waveform capture, laser bathymetry, and platform options. Barriers to greater adoption of lidar mapping include the high capital costs to acquire or develop a sensor, a lack of published guidelines or standards, the perceived threat to existing value chains posed by the new technology, conflicting opinions about the achievable performance of the sensors, and a poor fit between the nature of lidar data ad the existing mapping standards developed for older technologies.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00991112
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page range: pp 1209-1211, 1213-1217.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

  5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 210
  Bethesda, MD  United States  20814-2160
• Authors:
  • Flood, M
• Publication Date: 2001-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 8 p.
• Serial:
  • Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing
  • Volume: 67
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
  • ISSN: 0099-1112

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Altimeters; Bathymetry; Costs; Density; Future; Laser radar; Lasers; Mapping; Photogrammetry; Pricing; Remote sensing; Schedules; Science; Sensors; Software packages; Specifications; Standards; Surveying; Technological innovations; Topography; Waveform analysis
• Uncontrolled Terms: Commercial use
• Subject Areas: Finance; Geotechnology; Highways; I41: General Soil Surveys;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00823512
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 4 2002 12:00AM