Book Description

LiDAR technology, introduced in the late 90s, has received wide acceptance in airborne surveying as a leading tool for obtaining high-quality surface data at decimeter-level vertical accuracy in an unprecedentedly short turnaround time. State-of-the-art LiDAR systems can easily achieve 2-3 cm ranging accuracy, which is certainly the accuracy range required by engineering-scale mapping. However, this is also the accuracy range that cannot be realized by routine navigation-based direct sensor platform orientation. The main objective of the project was to achieve this accuracy as closely as possible and then introduce it into the daily operation of ODOT Office of Aerial Engineering. Several tests confirmed that by using LiDAR specific ground targets, engineering-scale mapping accuracy can be achieved in normal production. The final report presents surface modeling studies, sensor calibration developments, the concept and design of LiDAR specific ground targets; followed by performance validation results, based on test flights performed by the OAE staff and preliminary investigation of image fusion with LiDAR data.