This survey covers portions of Hawaii Volcano National Park, Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, and Mauna Loa Forest Reserve on the Big Island of Hawaii. The survey area covers 299 square kilometers. These data were collected by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) on behalf of Steve Martel (University of Hawaii), Scott Rowland (University of Hawaii), Adam Soule (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and Kathy Cashman (U. Oregon / Bristol U.).Publications associated with this dataset can be found at NCALM's Data Tracking Center

This dataset provides the complete catalog of point cloud data collected during LiDAR surveys over selected forest research sites across the Amazon rainforest in Brazil between 2008 and 2018 for the Sustainable Landscapes Brazil Project. Flight lines were selected to overfly key field research sites in the Brazilian states of Acre, Amazonas, Bahia, Goias, Mato Grosso, Para, Rondonia, Santa Catarina, and Sao Paulo. The point clouds have been georeferenced, noise-filtered, and corrected for misalignment of overlapping flight lines. They are provided in 1 km2 tiles. The data were collected to measure forest canopy structure across Amazonian landscapes to monitor the effects of selective logging on forest biomass and carbon balance, and forest recovery over time.

The Environment Agency LIDAR Ground Truth surveys dataset is an archive of elevation points and attribute information that have been independently surveyed to verify the accuracy of the EA's LIDAR timestamped surveys. Captured by various independent surveyors, a ground truth survey is a collection of a few hundred points captured on a flat, unambiguous surface such as a tarmac car park or tennis court using GPS. Each ground truth point has an accuracy of +/-3cm R.M.S.E and contains attribute information such as the date of survey, surface type, survey method and transformation and geoidal models used. A ground truth survey may potentially be used for multiple LIDAR surveys provided it is less than 5 years old, or 3 years for coastal projects. The LIDAR timestamped survey is compared against the ground truth survey to assess the Root Mean Square Error (R.M.S.E), standard deviation and random error of the LIDAR. All LIDAR surveys must report an error of less than +/-15cm RMSE and 10cm for standard deviation and random error to pass quality control. For the specific ground truth results for a LIDAR survey please contact us. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2015. All rights reserved.

This dataset is a lidar survey by the Middle Usumacinta Archaeological Project. It examines the distribution of archaeological sites in the Middle Usumacinta region in eastern Tabasco, Mexico. Data was collected for Dr. Takeshi Inomata at the University of Arizona.

Publications associated with this dataset can be found at NCALM's Data Tracking Center

This metadata record describes the acquisition and processing of bare earth lidar data, raw point cloud lidar data, lidar intensity data, and floodmap breaklines consisting of a total of 280 sheets for Camp Shelby, MS. The post-spacing for this project is 3-meter. This project was broken into 3 parts, Acquisition, Part A Processing, and Part B Processing. Acquisition was tasked by Mississippi...

2010 Boulder Creek, Colorado Snow-Off LiDAR Surveys LiDAR was acquired for a 600 km2 area inside the Boulder Creek watershed during a snow-off (August, 2010) time slice, near Boulder Colorado. This data was collected in collaboration between the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) project and the Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (CZO), both funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The dataset contains 1 m Digital Surface Models (first-stop), Digital Terrain Models (bare-earth), and 10 points/m2 LAS-formated point cloud tiles. The DSMs and DTMs are available in GeoTIFF format, approx. 1-2 GB each, with associated shaded relief models, for a total of 15 GB of data. The Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is a ground-surface elevation dataset better suited for derived layers such as slope angle, aspect, and contours. Accessory layers consist of index map layers for point cloud tiles, DEM extent, and flight lines. Other LiDAR DSMs, DTMs, and point cloud data available in this series include snow-on data for 2010. Together, the LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and point cloud data will be of interest to land managers, scientists, and others for study of topography, snow, ecosystems and environmental change. The Boulder Creek CZO will be using the LiDAR data to further their mission of focusing on how water, atmosphere, ecosystems, & soils interact and shape the Earth's surface. The "Critical Zone" lies between rock and sky. It is essential to life - including human food production - and helps drive Earth's carbon cycle, climate change, stream runoff, and water quality. PLEASE READ the FGDC-compliant metadata files that are available for each dataset (in .html, .txt, and .xml formats). These files provide numerous details that may be of interest. Also included are flight lines, survey reports, reference materials, and DEM extent shapefiles.

This metadata record describes the ortho & LIDAR mapping of Citrus County, FL. The mapping consists of LIDAR data collection, contour generation, and production of natural color orthophotography with a 1ft pixel using imagery collected with a Wild RC-30 Aerial Camera. Original contact information: Contact Name: Raquel Charrois Contact Org: EarthData International Title: Project Manag...

A bathymetric survey of Blue Mountain Lake, Arkansas, was conducted in May 2017 by the Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) using methodologies for sonar surveys similar to those described by Wilson and Richards (2006). Point data from the bathymetric survey were merged with point data from an aerial LiDAR survey conducted in December 2010, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Little Rock District. From the combined point data, a terrain dataset (a type of triangulated irregular network, or TIN, model) was created in Esri ArcGIS for the lakebed within the extent of pool elevation 420 feet above the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88). This Esri file geodatabase contains the following products: 1) point data from the bathymetric and LiDAR surveys; 2) a terrain dataset; 3) a digital elevation model (DEM) in Esri GRID format with a 3-ft cell size; 4) a feature class of bathymetric contours at 4-ft intervals; and 5) a table of storage capacity (volume) of the lake at 1-ft increments in water-surface elevation from 350-420 ft NAVD88 and seasonal conservation and flood pool elevations.

The surveyed area covers 28.5 square kilometers of the Black Hills Experimental Forest, South Dakota. These LAS and associated files were collected by Horizon's Inc. of Rapid City, SD and processed by the USDA Forest Service in Moscow, ID. The purpose of the data collection is to use Lidar in support of natural resource research and management applications.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted field data collection efforts during the time periods of April 25 - 26, 2017, October 24 - 28, 2017, and July 25 - 26, 2018, using a combination of surveying technologies to map and validate topography, structures, and other features at five sites in central South Dakota. The five sites included the Chamberlain Explorers Athletic Complex and the Chamberlain High School in Chamberlain, SD, Hanson Lake State Public Shooting Area near Corsica, SD, the State Capital Grounds in Pierre, SD, and Platte Creek State Recreation Area near Platte, SD. The work was initiated as an effort to evaluate airborne Geiger-Mode and Single Photon light detection and ranging (lidar) data that were collected over parts of central South Dakota. Both Single Photon and Geiger-Mode lidar offer the promise of being able to map areas at high altitudes, thus requiring less time than traditional airborne lidar collections, while acquiring higher point densities. Real Time Kinematic Global Navigational Satellite System (RTK-GNSS), total station, and ground-based lidar (GBL) data were collected to evaluate data collected by the Geiger-Mode and Single Photon systems.

High-resolution Lidar survey covers an area of 280 km2 in the upper part of the Jemez River basin, New Mexico. The data collection was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and performed by the National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM) during peak snowpack 2010 (March - April 2010). The dataset contains point cloud tiles in LAS format, 1 m Digital Surface Model (DSM) derived using first-stop points, 1 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived using ground-class points and 1 m hill shade dataset derived from DEM. These datasets, together with the snow-off Lidar survey performed in Jun - July 2010, are being used to estimate snowpack, vegetation biomass and distribution, and bare earth elevations to help better understand and quantify ecosystem structure, geomorphology, and landscape processes within the Critical Zone Observatory.

The data set provides digital terrain models (DTM), digital surface models (DSM) snow depth models, and canopy height models (CHM), derived from point cloud data (available as SnowEx Mores Creek Summit (MCS) Airborne LiDAR Survey Raw, Version 1) acquired by airborne lidar scanning. Data were collected as part of a multi-year effort to monitor monthly snow distribution over a 35 km² region of the Mores Creek Headwaters in the Boise Mountains of central Idaho between 2021 and 2024. Data acquisition in 2021 overlapped temporally with the NASA SnowEx 2021 field campaign.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted field data collection efforts during the week of September 25 – 29, 2017, using a combination of conventional surveying technologies, for a large stretch of the Kootenai River near Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The work was initiated as an effort to validate commercially acquired topobathymetric light detection and ranging (lidar) data. The goal was to compare the airborne lidar data to topographic and bathymetric data collected through more traditional means (e.g. waded Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) surveys). The validated topobathymetric lidar data will be used for hydrologic modeling, assessment and restoration of aquatic habitat, sediment transport modeling, and to assess inland bathymetry mapping capabilities for inclusion in the USGS National Geospatial Program (NGP) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP).

This dataset is retired and no longer available on the Data Services Platform. The Environment Agency Geomatics team no longer produce a 25cm resolution composite product. This has been replaced by a 1m resolution version. The entire archive of lidar data, including the 1m composite and 25cm time-stamped data, is available to download from the following page: https://environment.data.gov.uk/survey.

The LIDAR Composite DTM (Digital Terrain Model) is a raster elevation model covering areas of England at 25cm spatial resolution. Produced by the Environment Agency in 2017, this dataset is derived from a combination of our full time stamped archive, which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage. Where repeat surveys have been undertaken the newest, best resolution data is used. The composite is updated on an annual basis to include the latest surveys.

The DTM (Digital Terrain Model) is produced from the last return LIDAR signal. We remove surface objects from the Digital Surface Model (DSM), using bespoke algorithms and manual editing of the data, to produce a terrain model of just the surface. Available to download as ASCII files in 5km grids, data is presented in metres, referenced to Ordinance Survey Newlyn, using the OSTN’15 transformation. All LIDAR data has a vertical accuracy of +/-15cm RMSE. A tinted shaded relief, which is an image showing what LIDAR looks like when loaded into specialist software, is also available as a WMS feed. You can also download survey index files which shows, for any location, what Time Stamped survey went into the production of the LIDAR composite.

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is an airborne mapping technique, which uses a laser to measure the distance between the aircraft and the ground. Up to 500,000 measurements per second are made of the ground, allowing highly detailed terrain models to be generated at spatial resolutions of between 25cm and 2 metres. The Environment Agency’s open data LIDAR archives includes the Point Cloud data, and derived raster surface models of survey specific areas and composites of the best data available in any location.

To find out more about LIDAR and the various surface models we produce please read our story map

This metadata record is for Approval for Access product AfA458. Attribution statement: (c) Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2019. All rights reserved.

Drone LiDAR Survey Services Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Drone LiDAR Survey Services market size reached USD 1.22 billion in 2024, reflecting robust adoption across various industries. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 16.8% during the forecast period, propelling it to an estimated USD 5.04 billion by 2033. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing demand for high-precision geospatial data, accelerated infrastructure development, and the growing integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in commercial and government applications worldwide.

One of the primary growth factors fueling the Drone LiDAR Survey Services market is the surging need for accurate, real-time spatial information in construction, mining, and infrastructure projects. Traditional surveying techniques are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and limited in coverage, whereas drone-based LiDAR systems offer rapid data acquisition over large and complex terrains. The ability to generate high-resolution 3D maps with centimeter-level accuracy is revolutionizing project planning, site monitoring, and asset management. As industries increasingly recognize the cost and time advantages of drone LiDAR technology, service providers are witnessing a significant uptick in demand, particularly for projects requiring frequent updates or coverage of inaccessible areas.

Another pivotal factor contributing to market growth is the technological advancement in LiDAR sensors and drone platforms. Innovations such as miniaturized, lightweight LiDAR units, enhanced battery life, and improved data processing algorithms have made drone-based LiDAR surveys more efficient and affordable. These advancements have lowered the barriers to entry for smaller enterprises and expanded the range of viable applications, from environmental monitoring to precision agriculture. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in data analytics is enabling faster, more accurate interpretation of LiDAR datasets, further enhancing the value proposition for end-users.

Regulatory support and evolving government policies are also playing a crucial role in shaping the Drone LiDAR Survey Services market. Many countries have streamlined drone operation guidelines and introduced frameworks that facilitate the commercial use of UAVs for surveying and mapping. This regulatory clarity has encouraged investment in drone LiDAR services and fostered collaborations between public agencies and private providers. Moreover, the increasing emphasis on sustainable development and environmental monitoring by governments and international organizations is driving the adoption of drone-based LiDAR for applications such as forest management, flood risk assessment, and habitat mapping.

From a regional perspective, North America currently dominates the Drone LiDAR Survey Services market, accounting for the largest share due to early adoption, robust infrastructure development, and a favorable regulatory environment. However, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing the fastest growth, propelled by rapid urbanization, expanding construction activities, and government initiatives supporting smart city projects. Europe also represents a significant market, driven by stringent environmental regulations and a strong focus on technological innovation. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging as promising markets, supported by increasing investments in infrastructure and resource management.

Service Type Analysis

The Service Type segment of the Drone LiDAR Survey Services market encompasses a diverse range of offerings, with aerial surveying and topographic mapping emerging as the most widely adopted services. Aerial surveying leverages drone-mounted LiDAR sensors to rapidly capture high-density point cloud data over large areas, enabling detailed analysis and visualization for infrastructure development, land management, and disaster assessment. The growing preference for aerial surveying is attributed to its ability to cover challenging terrains and deliver precise data in a fraction of the time required by traditional ground-based methods. Topographic mapping, closely related to aerial surveying, involves the creation of detailed elevation models and contour maps, which are critical for engineering design, flood modeling, and land use planning.

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The U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) collected topographic LiDAR surveys of four rivers in Alaska from July 24-26, 2019 to support research related to remote sensing of river discharge. Data were acquired for the Knik, Matanuska, Chena, Salcha, Tanana and Susitna Rivers using a Riegl VQ-580 LiDAR. The LiDAR was installed on a Robinson R44 Raven helicopter in a HeliPod that was designed and operated by CRREL. The LiDAR data included as part of this release include: a bare earth digital elevation model (DEM) in GeoTiff format and lidar point files in laz format for each river surveyed. Additionally, CRREL reports for each river surveyed are included as part of this data release. Several imagery data sets were collected coincident with the lidar surveys but will be part of a separate data release.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists completed a multidisciplinary data collection effort during the week of October 21-25, 2019, using new technologies to map and validate bathymetry over a large stretch of the non-tidal Potomac River. The work was initiated as an effort to validate commercially-acquired topobathymetric light detection and ranging (lidar) data funded through a partnership between the USGS and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). The goal was to compare airborne lidar data to bathymetric data collected through more traditional means (boat-based sonar, wading Real Time Kinematic Global Navigational Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) surveys) and through unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In addition to accurately measuring river bottom elevations with GNSS and sonar, remote sensing imagery was collected with optical, multispectral, thermal, and ground-based lidar (GBL) sensors to test new technologies. The bathymetric lidar data, once delivere ...

This layer shows the Digital Terrain Model of Hong Kong from 2010 LiDAR Survey. It is a set of data made available by the Civil Engineering and Development Department under the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the "Government") at https://GEODATA.GOV.HK/ ("Hong Kong Geodata Store"). The source data is in GML format and has been processed and converted into Esri File Geodatabase format and uploaded to Esri's ArcGIS Online platform for sharing and reference purpose. The objectives are to facilitate our Hong Kong ArcGIS Online users to use the data in a spatial ready format and save their data conversion effort.For details about the data, source format and terms of conditions of usage, please refer to the website of Hong Kong Geodata Store at https://geodata.gov.hk/.

In 2021, a complete airborne LiDAR survey of the Northern Ireland coastline was captured as part of the NI 3D Coastal Survey, providing precise and accurate data of the current coastal morphology.The survey included the intertidal area and extended approximately 200 meters landward of the high-water mark.This is the LiDAR Point Cloud created from the LiDAR data.

Airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) can provide high-quality topographic information over large areas. Lidar is an active remote sensing technology that employs laser ranging in near-infrared and green spectral wavelengths to provide three-dimensional (3D) point information for objects, including Earth’s surface, vegetation, and infrastructure. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) seeks to systematically acquire airborne topographic lidar for the conterminous U.S. (conus), Hawaii, and the U.S. territories. A series of field accuracy assessment surveys, using conventional surveying methods (i.e. total station and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)) along with ground based lidar (GBL), were conducted at test sites in Northeastern Illinois (NEIL) to evaluate the 3D absolute and relative accuracy of airborne lidar acquired for 3DEP.