Lidar Technology 

Lidar or Light detection and Ranging refers to optical remote sensing technology capable of measuring distances and other properties of any target. This technology illuminates a target with light often using laser pulses to measure details of a target. This system uses three technologies namely (a) Laser, (b) Satellite positioning using GPS and (c) Inertia Measure Unit (IMU) to record object orientation. For topography mapping exercises LiDar systems use infrared laser light which is safe for eyes. Its active sensing system uses own energy source instead of emitted radiation. LiDAR is often applied in geomatics, geography, archaeology, geology, forestry, remote sensing and atmospheric physics. LiDar technology’s advantages are higher or better resolution, accuracy to centimeter level and high degree of penetration in forest terrain. 

Vegetation Mapping

LiDAR being an active sensor can be used day or night as long as atmosphere is clear. The two main categories of resource management applications which use LiDAr are a. Vegetation mapping and b) topography mapping. LiDAR vegetation mapping technique measures three dimensional characteristics of plant canopies to estimate vertical structure of vegetation areas. LiDar vegetation mapping technology is very advanced and uses complex three dimensional pattern of forest land structure to access forest canopy and capture details of ground and elevation of vegetation cover. 

Applications of LiDar Technology

LiDAR Mapping companies use this technology to map features that lie below forest canopy, assisting in field campaigns, providing a broad picture of the features that cannot be viewed or distinguished on the ground. Location of archaeological sites of micro topography and identifying areas of fuel accumulation to reduce chances of forest fires are some regular solutions offered by Lidar mapping companies through interpretation and analysis of data. The three technologies of By mounting Lidar sensors on mobile navigation systems such as aircrafts, satellites etc can help as GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Farmers have been greatly benefited by this technology, since it provides information about the areas where costly fertilizers need to be applied. 

Some Companies, a United States based risk management services company, provides risk specific inventory and analysis by remote sensing technology to utility companies. In its vegetation management analysis uses LiDar (Light Detection and Ranging) to identify and map vegetation threats and predict infrastructure changes due to load, temperature and climatic factors.

 
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LiDAR or Light Detection and Ranging technology is applied in several fields such as agriculture, archeology, biology and conservation, geology and soil science, meteorology and atmospheric environment, military, astronomy and many more. Its ability of mapping using laser technology and elevation points with high accuracy, speed and resolution has provided data for city, forestry, bare or agricultural land mapping and flood studies. LiDAR has the ability to tackle various targets and terrains including rain and cloud intensity.

The invention of this technology has helped us improve the standards of agriculture, understand quality of soil and predict weather forecast which has helped to identify and estimate various natural disasters. Predicting the weather is always complicated as it is in constant change and is influenced by several factors. Storm data collection has been a priority in times of recent devastations. This forecast requires a powerful range of survey and computation technologies to judge the intensity and timing of storms, earthquakes and floods which is why LiDAR has found its use in atmospheric observations.

A Lidar company uses this technology and much other technological advancement in surveying and mapping land and sky to collect accurate and huge amounts of data for study. This is extremely profitable in identifying any threats to a particular area and a plan for risk management can be laid out according to the data obtained. LiDAR is a laser application which is assisted by experts and supporting aircraft and computing software when gathering and processing the necessary data. This is where a LiDAR Mapping companies has complete control and influence over its use and purpose.

These companies can be approached for a survey and mapping of the asset to be studied and they gather the necessary data using airborne or terrestrial scanning. These assets include electrical utility, oil, gas, forestry, mining, transportation and other environmental assets. With the right kind of equipment utilized according to the project requirement can be cost effective and provide the best results required. Several environmental, agricultural and infrastructure projects are planned frequently and the use of LiDAR technology can help predict any future damages and also provide accurate data to plan effectively and arrange enough safety procedures. Lidar companies use the best of technology and workforce to provide data worth knowing and understanding with a speed and accuracy that is unmatchable.