Airborne Imaging has long been a leader in aerial LiDAR acquisition. Now, we have added to our growing LiDAR data acquisition capacity with the addition of the latest in mobile mapping technology. The Mobile Mapping (a.k.a mobile LiDAR) system is a survey and engineering grade LiDAR data acquisition product. It fills the niche where static/terrestrial laser scanners are not practical and with an accuracy and resolution not achievable from our Airborne laser platforms. It allows the quick and safe acquisition of large areas or corridors that require surface models. The data resolution is as good as 1cm and the accuracy between 2-5cm absolute. Most importantly, it can be acquired at up to highway speeds and limits field crew exposure to risk. In an age where safety is a top priority, this advantage is critical to our clients’ project success.
The Optech Lynx M1 Mobile Mapper incorporates up to 4 digital cameras and two survey grade LiDAR sensors. These Class 1 Eye Safe sensors collect up to a combined 1,000,000 measurements per second and create a 360° field of view (FOV). This allows for scanning under sides of overpasses and bridges, sides of structures, ditch lines and curb edges in a single mobile LiDAR pass. The collected 3D point cloud can be used as is or used to create vectors for CAD design packages.
Airborne’s background with dealing in point clouds allows for an easy progression into the workflow and data management processes. These have been have been in place and established through experience with our Airborne acquisition and processing line of business.
How Does Mobile LiDAR Mapping Benefit Our Clients?
It is always critical to establish the benefits of a technology for our customers. There are a number of ways this product can provide you, the client, with a better product and peace of mind:
Speed of Acquisition and Timing:
This technology can acquire ground based LiDAR data faster than any other ground based survey solution. In fact many times faster. As it relies on a GPS and inertial solution it is able to acquire many linear miles in a single pass.
Accuracy:
The accuracy is better than 5cm and with additional control survey and target placement can achieve 2cm. This is much more accurate than Airborne acquisition.
Safety:
Ground based LiDAR with Mobile Mapping allows data collection with the flow of traffic, without having to stop traffic. It can also be acquired in the evening or overnight when there is less traffic as LiDAR surveys operate day and night. The reduced risk to personnel through minimizing exposure is the number one benefit for both Airborne employees and for our clients’ liability.
Robust Data Set:
Capturing a large, full data set in one trip to the field. How many times do surveyors return to the field to pick up missed features? When you are collecting in high traffic zones this is amplified. The ability to acquire a high density data used to capture many features, in one trip, is a big part of the Mobile Mapping advantage. We capture a full 3D data set of infrastructure including roads, medians, buildings, curbs, signs, etc.
Cost:
Less field time equals less cost. Simple as that. Less stops, work at the flow of traffic and less exposure and risk all lead to improved efficiency and lower costs.
