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Introduction to LIDAR Remote Sensing

LIDAR System Overview

What is LiDAR?

A laser is used in the remote sensing technique known as LiDAR (light detection and
ranging) to measure distances. A laser scanner emits light pulses, some of which are reflected
back to the scanner when the pulse strikes a target. The 3D position (XYZ coordinates) from
which the pulse was reflected is calculable because the scanner's location, the pulse's direction,
and the interval between its emission and return are all known. Millions of these pulses are
produced by the laser, and the laser records where they reflect, creating a very accurate 3D point
cloud (model) that may be used to infer the 3D structure of the target area.

 Light Detection and Ranging

 Active form of Remote Sensing: Information is obtained from a signal through using
laser which is sent from a transmitter, reflected by a target, and detected by a receiver
back at the source.
 Most are currently airborne

How are LiDAR data collected?

Most often, the scanning laser is mounted in an aircraft – typically a fixed-wing airplane
although increasingly in drones – and scans the ground along its route or direction of flight.
Occasionally scanning lasers are mounted on a tripod or vehicle for terrestrial based laser (TLS)
scans.

What can LiDAR data do?

LiDAR data provide a detailed 3D model of the target area, including its terrain,
topography, and vegetation. In turn the digital terrain model of the ground surface can be used to
derive a range of additional products including models of slope or visibility, and the 3D data on
vegetative structure can be used for a broad range of applications within forestry and ecological
contexts.
 Types of LiDAR

Airborne

With airborne lidar, the system is installed in either a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter.
The infrared laser light is emitted toward the ground and returned to the moving airborne lidar
sensor. There are two types of airborne sensors: topographic and bathymetric.

1. Topographic lidar

Topographic lidar can be used to derive surface models for use in many applications,
such as forestry, hydrology, geomorphology, urban planning, landscape ecology, coastal
engineering, survey assessments, and volumetric calculations.

2. Bathymetric lidar

Bathymetric lidar is a type of airborne acquisition that is water penetrating. Most

bathymetric lidar systems collect elevation and water depth simultaneously, which provides an
airborne lidar survey of the land-water interface. With a bathymetric lidar survey, the infrared
light (traditional laser system) is reflected back to the aircraft from the land and water surface,
while the additional green laser travels through the water column. Analyses of the two distinct
pulses are used to establish water depths and shoreline elevations. Bathymetric information is
very important near coastlines, in harbors, and near shores and banks. Bathymetric information is
also used to locate objects on the ocean floor.

Terrestrial lidar

There are two main types of terrestrial lidar: mobile and static. In the case of mobile
acquisition, the lidar system is mounted on a moving vehicle. In the case of static acquisition, the
lidar system is typically mounted on a tripod or stationary device. Both lidar sensors consist of
eye-safe lasers.

Terrestrial lidar collects very dense and highly accurate points, which allows precise
identification of objects. These dense point clouds can be used to manage facilities, conduct
highway and rail surveys, and even create 3D city models for exterior and interior spaces, to
name a few examples.

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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF LIDAR

Advantages

•Higher Accuracy

• Fast Acquisition and Processing

• Minimum human dependence – As most of the processes are automatic unlike photogrammetry, GPS
or land surveying.

• Weather/Light Independence Data collection independent of sun inclination and at night and slightly
bad weather.

• Canopy Penetration- LIDAR pulses can reach beneath the canopy thus generating measurements of
points there unlike photogrammetry.

• Higher data density- Up to 167,000 pulses per second. More than 24 points per meter sq. can be
measured in multiple returns to collect data in 3D.
• Cost- It has been found by comparative studies that LIDAR data is cheaper in many applications. This is
particularly considering the speed, accuracy & density of data.

Disadvantages

• High operation costs (Rs. 10 Lacs /hour).

• Ineffective during heavy rain and/or low cloud/mist.

• Degraded at high sun angles and reflections.

• Latency data not processed locally.

• Unreliable for water depth(<2m) & breaking/turbulent waves.

• Lack of foliage/vegetation penetration.

• Precise alignment must be maintained.

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LIDAR ERRORS AND ACCURACY

LiDAR Errors

• Laser-induced – changes in height for points on terrain

(ridges and ditches) and grain noise (smooth surfaces

Appear rough)

• GPS/INS-induced – variances in measurements taken by

The instruments

• Filtering-induced – incomplete/unnecessary removal of

Features (vegetation, buildings, rock outcroppings)

There are several common sources of errors in LIDAR

Data, including:

Sensor noise: LIDAR sensors can be affected by various forms of noise, such as electronic noise or
thermal noise, which can result in inaccuracies in the data.

Sensor calibration: LIDAR sensors require precise calibration in order to produce accurate data. Any
errors in the calibration process can introduce inaccuracies into the data.

Point density: LIDAR systems may have difficulty collecting data at high point densities, which can result
in missing or inaccurate data.

Multi-path reflections: LIDAR sensors can detect multiple reflections of the laser beam, which can lead to
errors in the data.

Moving objects: LIDAR sensors can have difficulty accurately collecting data on moving objects, such as
vehicles or people.

Geometric Distortion: LIDAR sensor may have geometric distortion that can cause errors in the data.

Systematic errors: LIDAR systems may have errors that are consistently present, such as errors in the
sensor’s internal clock, which can lead to inaccuracies in the data.

Human Errors: Data acquisition, processing, and analysis human errors can also introduce errors in LIDAR
data.
LiDAR Accuracy

• Quality of the hardware and software

• Knowledge of the planners, operators, office staff

• Flying height

• Scan angle (also important for vegetation

Penetration)

• GPS/GNSS configuration

• Distance from base station to aerial platform

• Laser power

• Laser pulse repetition rate

• Accuracy of elevation in range of 6 to

30 centimeters

• Accuracy of XY position in range of 10 to

46 centimeters
• Accuracy depends on pulse rate, flying

Height, GPS/GNSS configuration, location of

Ground stations, and position of the scanner

With respect to nadir (scan angle)

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LiDAR Remote Sensing Applications

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing has various applications across different fields.
Some notable applications include:

Topographic Mapping: LiDAR is widely used for creating high-resolution and accurate topographic maps.
It provides detailed elevation information, making it valuable for terrain modeling and land surveying.

Forestry Management: LiDAR helps in forest inventory and monitoring by providing data on tree height,
canopy structure, and biomass. This information aids in assessing forest health and planning sustainable
forestry practices.

Urban Planning and Development: LiDAR assists in urban planning by providing detailed 3D information
of urban areas. It aids in infrastructure planning, flood modeling, and assessing the impact of new
construction projects.

Environmental Monitoring: LiDAR is employed for environmental studies, including monitoring changes
in ecosystems, studying coastal dynamics, and assessing the impact of climate change on landscapes.

Disaster Management: LiDAR data is valuable for assessing and managing natural disasters. It aids in
creating accurate floodplain maps, assessing earthquake damage, and planning evacuation routes.
Transportation Planning: LiDAR is used in transportation engineering for road design, traffic
management, and railway planning. It provides precise elevation and feature information crucial for
designing transportation infrastructure.

Archaeological Surveys: LiDAR is employed in archaeology to map and analyze landscapes, revealing
hidden archaeological features such as ancient structures or burial sites.

Mining and Quarrying: LiDAR is used in the mining industry for volumetric calculations, monitoring pit
slopes, and planning efficient extraction processes.

Precision Agriculture: LiDAR data helps optimize agricultural practices by providing detailed information
about crop health, terrain variation, and vegetation structure.

Wildlife Monitoring: LiDAR is utilized for studying wildlife habitats, tracking animal movements, and
assessing biodiversity. It aids conservation efforts by providing detailed information about ecosystems.

These applications showcase the versatility of LiDAR remote sensing technology in acquiring accurate
and detailed spatial information for a wide range of fields.