Interviews

LIDAR Opportunities Abound as the Technology Takes Off

LIDAR data collection has a number of advantages related to the realism and precision that it provides, along with the speed of collection. As software continues to catch up with data collection, all new applications are emerging. V1 editor Matt Ball spoke with Alastair MacDonald, conference chairman of ILMF2012 about some of these application and technical advancements in advance of this year's conference, which will take place in Denver from Jan. 23-25.

V1: What is the advantage of LIDAR for forestry and natural resources assessment, as opposed to just imagery? Are there innovative applications in this area at this year's event?

MacDonald: LIDAR has tremendous benefits in forestry and natural resources management by delivering data that permits accurate measurement of tree canopy height and growth in 3D [compared with 2D from traditional passive airborne photographic sensors]. LIDAR is also key to fast determination of the topography beneath the tree canopy and shrubs that otherwise would have to be surveyed on the ground, taking time and involving greater cost. This is important for drainage and land use planning and management including identification of fire risks, wildlife habitats etc.

Innovative combination of LIDAR with other technologies, e.g. hyperspectral cameras, now makes it possible to identify individual tree types and their state of health and identification of flood risk areas. There are papers at the ILMF 2012 Conference addressing both these issues and systems are being shown by the world leaders in LIDAR technology at the exhibition.

V1: This year has been one of many weather extremes that have led to widespread flooding in many areas of the globe. With LiDAR’s capability for elevation mapping, is the coastal application of this technology growing, and is it being chosen as a necessity for disaster response?

Specialist LIDAR systems for mapping coastal, shoreline and riverine areas are now able to accurately measure areas at risk, the data from which is input to software models for predicting the extent and height of possible floods. Already in use by insurance companies worldwide for assessing flood risk in urban areas close to rivers, LIDAR technology has been developed now to map along seashores to a water depth of 70 meters, and in combination with hyperspectral technologies it is used to delineate vegetation communities for effective management of coastal resources.

Following innovative experience in the Haiti and Japan earthquakes, LIDAR is now used routinely for pre-and post earthquake area analysis to assist in rescue and restoration of infrastructure.

V1: Mobile mapping has been a growing market segment for some time. What's the current state of vehicle-based collection, and where is the next technical frontier for this high-speed data collection for better understanding of our urban corridors?

MacDonald: The mobile mapping sector is growing at an exponential pace, being driven by Global demand for spatial data to augment a range of location-based consumer demands such as mapping on both a commercial and personal level. We now see LIDAR being used as a key remote sensing device on vehicles and robots for collision and obstacle avoidance and for empowering automotive navigation systems, and mapping on portable and wireless devices and Internet-based mapping applications.

Opportunities are already appearing for using LIDAR as both data acquisition source for accurate measurements within urban corridors and to be the navigation sensor for truly automatic cars and buses [i.e. without human drivers]. One current blue sky vision is looking at LIDAR as a key data source to empower virtual visits into urban centres and within individual department stores - you won’t have to leave your rocking chair to go shopping in the future! There are the latest mobile mapping vehicles on display and working at ILMF2012.

V1: For some time, software and computer hardware have lagged the ability to collect so many points. Are we seeing software catching up, and what are some highlights in your mind of great achievement in this regard over the past year?

The sheer volume of data points in the LIDAR point cloud and time to report has previously been the downside to the positive benefit of LIDAR’s speed in data acquisition. This last year has seen tremendous strides on a number of fronts, not only in the speed of acquisition of the LIDAR sensors where a number of the world players in LIDAR technology development are now using full waveform and multi-wave length scanning but also in the software to process the increasing quantities and types of data acquired.

We now see LIDAR data being processed initially on the project, actually in the field with “at source” data validation and quality control to improve even further the productivity that LIDAR delivers. Companies such as GeoDigital are leading the way in terrestrial applications accelerating the processing of the acquired data whilst actually on the project. Reflecting its importance, this subject has its own dedicated sessions at ILMF2012.

V1: How important are standards and interoperability to broader use and utility of LIDAR data, and are there initiatives underway that will be highlighted at this year's event?

MacDonald: With a number of National elevation mapping plans already in operation and planned, there is a clear need to harmonise standards and seek a consistent level at a National level. In the USA, the first results of the key National Enhanced Elevation Assessment will be announced and discussed at ILMF2012. Different standards apply within North America and Europe though, brought about by differing objectives and priorities in LIDAR mapping, and so we do not see international standards appearing for some time yet. The issue of interoperability and even Open Source data is a strategic issue affecting the LIDAR industry and is resulting in an expanding and wider community of LIDAR data users. This must be good for the industry as this is driving demand for more LIDAR mapping data across the spectrum of sectors in that it operates.

V1: Given that LIDAR data capture is a relatively new industry segment, are there bottlenecks in terms of the capacity of qualified people, and is enough being done for career development in this area?

MacDonald: With the arrival of any new game changing technical development there tends to be a shortage of technically qualified and experienced personnel to exploit the demand. LIDAR is no different, though as the technology advances are coming forward more rapidly each year. There is also an added dimension in that the community of LIDAR data users is growing just as fast. There is a strong need to educate the new user groups in LIDAR’s technology and applications so they don’t misunderstand its benefits and limitations and make erroneous decision based on their uninformed interpretation of the data. We address both these key issues at ILMF2012 with a series of Basics to LIDAR and technical workshops, offering real industry expertise and advice at all levels.