Airborne LIDAR Surveys - An Economic Technology for Terrain Data Acquisition

Dr. Réjean Simard
Lasermap Asia Sdn. Bhd.
Suite 2M, 2nd Floor, 2330 Century Square, Jalan Usahawan
63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor D.E., Malaysia
Tel : +603 8318 0052, Fax: +603 8318 0049
Email: rejean@lasermap.com
Web: www.lasermap.com

Mr. Pierre Belanger
GPR Consultants Inc. / Lasermap Image Plus
85 chemin Grande Côte
Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada, J7G 1C4
Tel : +1 450 437 2922, Fax : +1 450 437 2923
Email: pierreb@lasermap.com

Mr. Mohamed Razali Mohamed
Malsat Sdn. Bhd.
No. 29-3 Jalan USJ 21/1
47630 UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor D.E., Malaysia
Tel: +603 8023 3751, Fax: +603 8023 3752
Email: mohamed_razali@hotmail.com

Ir. Dr. Mohd Asbi Othman
Mohd Asbi & Associates Sdn. Bhd.
B-3-15, Megan Phileo Avenue
12, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603 2166 8200, Fax: +603 2166 5355
Email: asbi@asbi-associates.com.my


Abstract
Airborne LIDAR technology is now a proven method for acquiring accurate digital terrain model data and associated imagery under a wide range of conditions. As an active sensor it can be used when other remote sensing tools will not work. But LIDAR technology is quite new and is difficult to master. Few companies around the world own the necessary equipment and even fewer offer data acquisition services that actually meet the needs of their clients.

We believe that access to a technology that enables the acquisition and fusion of baseline cartographic data and digital photos in much shorter time periods when compared to conventional methods can speed up the initiation of projects related to road construction and safety, mineral exploration, natural resources planning and exploitation, construction of infrastructure, environmental impact assessments and so on.

This new source of data bundled with advanced visualization software is an essential ingredient for any major development project that needs high-resolution and high-precision cartographic information, be it road or railway construction or improvement, telecommunication transmission lines, power lines, high-precision digital topography (Digital Terrain Models) for slope analysis in landslide risk mapping or for flood risk mapping, interactive fly-through simulations for land developers, and so on.

This paper explains the technology, how it works, its advantages and disadvantages and concludes with case studies of some typical projects done in Malaysia (Sabah).