Lidar Site Selection

Aerial Lidar data collection is most valuable on sites where it will extract more data than a photogrammetry mission would. 

This points directly to vegetated sites, whether that be forests, scrub brush, taller grasses or another ground cover that is not so dense as to not allow some laser pulses through to the ground. 

So what’s “too dense” for Lidar? If you look up under a tree canopy and cannot see through to the sky, Lidar probably won’t be able to reach the ground. In contrast, if you can see through to the sky in many places, Lidar will probably do ok. The above images represent different areas of the same vegetated creek bed. Although you can see through to the sky in both cases and will get surface data in both areas, the area in the left image will produce a more complete Lidar surface than the area on the right.

Powerlines are another specific feature that Lidar is capable of extracting that photogrammetry isn’t. If you need to map powerline locations or fly substation projects, you should use Lidar.

If you only use and have the M300RTK and L1 sensor, we always recommend flying for both Lidar AND Photogrammetry regardless of the site at hand. This gives you the option value of both datasets since that sensor collects both simultaneously. If you have a P4RTK AND an M300RTK and L1 for example, the P4RTK should be flown for sites that are mostly non-vegetated.