Over the years, Lasermap has completed thousands of square miles of aerial and LiDAR mapping projects around the world for clients as diverse as utilities, government agencies (both local and federal), developers, and exploration and engineering companies. Below is a sampling of typical projects.
ELECTRIC POWER COMPANIES
Hydrology Modeling - For this project, Lasermap was required to deliver a highly accurate, engineering quality airborne LiDAR survey. Project involved 2,000 km² which contained areas, especially along river banks, with very thick vegetation. The project was flown leaf off to obtain the maximum penetration of the vegetation. The main purpose of the project was hydrology modeling.
Reservoir Mapping Project - This project involved the collection of approximately 400 square miles of LiDAR data and the development of 2 ft contours surrounding reservoirs in Alabama. This was an extension of a reservoirs pilot project begun in 2003 for hydrological studies and shoreline flood mapping. The data was collected during winter low pool conditions. From the processed LiDAR, two digital terrain models and topographic maps with 2 ft contours were produced for the client. These deliverables were combined with orthophotography for use in managing the reservoirs, including encroachment detection, flood impact studies, and support of the client's U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) re-licensing processes.
Mapping of Hydro Electric Route - This project was for a study for route location of 180 kilometers of transmission line as part of a hydroelectric development project. The project involved the acquisition of LiDAR and airborne kinematic GPS controlled aerial photography at a scale of 1:10,000. Development of a digital terrain model was also required. Aerial triangulation was completed and the photography was scanned and rectified. The block of photography comprised 280 models. The digital orthophoto plans were superimposed over the topographic and hypsometric data and output at a plot scale of 1:2,000. Deliveries were progressive and were ahead of projected schedule.
Corridor and Roadway Studies - Lasermap was contracted to provide data to support a corridor study for a new road location of 110 km between plant property and a dam site. The work consisted of the installation of ground GPS points, new GPS controlled aerial photography, and a LiDAR terrain model. The digital terrain model was produced using LiDAR and was then used to produce digital orthophotos of the planned route.
On another project, Lasermap completed an airborne LiDAR survey and delivered digital mapping and a digital terrain model, which was used for the production of engineering plans for 135 km of roadway as part of the planning of a hydroelectric installation.
Design Phase Engineering Studies - On one project, Lasermap conducted several airborne LiDAR missions to plan for the construction of a 170 km transmission line. The company decided to utilize this technology to engineer the route, and design the location of towers before any fieldwork commenced. This study helped the utility realize an overall project savings of both time and money.
On another project, Lasermap performed a LiDAR survey and collected standard aerial photography for detailed location and engineering studies for three new dams. The three study areas comprised 55 km², 5.5 km², and 3 km². The LiDAR data was used to produce digital orthophotos and to produce 1:2,000 (approx. 1'=166') scale maps from scanned black and white aerial photography. The LiDAR data was also used to produce 0.5 meter (1.5 ft) contour maps.
Geotechnical Analysis - An airborne LiDAR campaign was conducted by Lasermap in the vast James Bay region of northern Québec, for planning development of hydroelectric power on the Eastmain River. Lasermap's activities were completed over a period of about six weeks.
OIL, GAS, AND PIPELINE PROJECTS
Mapping and GIS Support - Lasermap has been contracted by a large Oil and Gas company to deliver geospatial data to the company's GIS and Mapping Department to support the mapping of several new project areas. The project tasks and deliverables included placement of GPS ground control, collection and processing of airborne LiDAR, collection and processing of color aerial photography, production of a digital terrain model (DTM), production of 2 ft contours, and delivery of digital orthophotos.
LiDAR Pipeline Route Survey - This Lasermap project consisted of a LiDAR survey complemented by natural color digital images collected using a small format camera. The intensity data of the LiDAR survey was used to triangulate and rectify the color imagery. The LiDAR data was also delivered as a separate file for hypsometric analysis.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS
Urban Planning - Lasermap was a part of a project involving the acquisition of LiDAR data and digital photography covering the major parks and recreation areas within the city limits. The project included orthophotographic mapping with 1 m contours and planimetric mapping for selected features. The DTM (ground relief) and the DEM (vegetation canopy and non ground) was an integral part of the final deliveries. The project successfully validated the City's proposed technology and methodology for planning.
Another project involved the acquisition of LiDAR data of the greater metropolitan area of one of Lasermap's urban clients. The DTM (ground relief) and the DEM (vegetation canopy and non ground) were integral parts of the final deliveries. The overall project covered approximately 1,400 km².
Enterprise Data - This Lasermap LiDAR project involved planimetric and hypsometric mapping at a scale of 1:1,000 and development of 1 m contours for the entire urban area. The data and maps were delivered for the purpose of town planning and for use by multiple departments and city contractors.
Flood Mapping - Lasermap, working with an engineering consulting firm hired by the city, delivered highly accurate, color orthophotos and an engineering quality airborne LiDAR survey. The project was funded for flood mapping in a town subject to flooding during spring after winters of high snow and rainfall. The work involved establishing ground control, collection and processing of color aerial photography with GPS photo centers, collection and processing of airborne LiDAR data, production of a digital elevation model for rectification of the photography. The project was extremely successful and a report was written which was published in Earth Observation Magazine.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Reservoir Management - This project included the acquisition of airborne LiDAR and photography at a scale of 1:15,000. The imagery was rectified using aerial triangulation results and the LiDAR data to provide digital orthophotos that were plotted at a scale of 1:5,000. More than 200 models were completed in this project. Deliveries were progressive and were made ahead of schedule.
Floodplains - Lasermap completed a pilot project for the Québec ministry of environment using airborne LiDAR with the objective of producing Digital Terrain Model data to verify plans along parts of river shorelines to determine areas of floodplains. This project successfully proved that LiDAR data could produce the information needed accurately and cost effectively. Following the successful conclusion of the pilot project, Lasermap acquired an important contract with the Québec Ministry of the Environment to complete a program of airborne LiDAR surveys and produce digital terrain models for portions of 165 rivers in Québec. The data was acquired over a period of 15 months.
Another project involved flying airborne LiDAR surveys of 220 square miles of floodplain along the Red River south of Winnipeg. The precision of the vertical elevations was 15 cm and the data was used to compile 1 ft contours of the area for flood risk purposes. Both hard copy (at 1:5000 scale) and softcopy maps were produced and delivered to various government agencies as part of the program of flood control remediation efforts following a disastrous flooding in the area.
FORESTRY AND FOREST PRODUCTS
Canopy Mapping - An international pulp and paper manufacturing company, with plants in North America and Asia, contracted Lasermap to complete an intensive airborne LiDAR survey covering over 4,000 km². The LiDAR data, collected at a density of 1pt/4m², combined with density images was used for the evaluation of forestry reserves (vegetation canopy) and for topographic studies (ground relief) for the planning of future lumbering activities.
Lasermap completed a canopy project for the Forestry Directorate of Québec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The ministry is responsible for the province-wide planning and administration of natural resources and administers mining and lumbering activities throughout the Province. The Ministry is also involved in intensive research to promote good environmental practices by the forestry industry. Moreover, the Ministry has the mandate to protect wildlife and its habitat. The Ministry contracted Lasermap to accomplish an airborne LiDAR survey covering 1,670 km² in the lower Saint-Lawrence River area. This contract was in support of a pilot project that involved vegetation canopy mapping (highest surface), under cover growth (brush and scrub) and ground relief mapping. Lasermap successfully delivered the refined LiDAR data at an average density of 1 pt/m². The combined intensity images were delivered in various formats (ASCII, LAS, ESRI-Grid, MicroStation and AutoCad).
Canopy Research - The Canadian GEOIDE program coupled with the University of Québec at Montréal Geography Department contracted Lasermap to perform various airborne LiDAR surveys. The resulting processed data was used in the development of algorithms to determine vegetation canopy structures of various forestry species in different topographic environments. The Lasermap airborne survey crews and its technical team involved with the post processing were required to have a full understanding of the R&D goals and to demonstrate proven academic awareness. The program was successfully completed and resulted in lasting software modules that are now in use in the forestry industry.
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Highway Design - Lasermap was subcontracted by an international design engineering firm to deliver GPS controlled aerial photography and LiDAR surveys supporting the feasibility study for a new highway in Jamaica. The project required placement of GPS ground control, collection and processing of airborne LiDAR, and collection and processing of aerial data.
Highway Upgrades - Lasermap produced and delivered terrain model data and other services to the Government of Peru for proposed upgrading of the Pan American Highway in Northern Peru.
Transportation Studies - The Québec Ministry of Transportation contracted Lasermap to conduct four regional pilot projects along existing routes. This project area included multiple cities. In addition, aerial photography was taken of a 65 km corridor between two cities. The project required placement of GPS ground control, collection and processing of airborne LiDAR, production of a digital terrain model (DTM), digital mapping and production of digital orthophotos.
Lasermap has conducted two successful pilot projects using airborne LiDAR to investigate the usefulness of LiDAR technology in determining areas for road marking requirements for visibility along highways. Deliverables for these projects included digital orthophotos and digital terrain models for multiple corridors.
Lasermap performed a pilot project for the Geotechnical Department of the Ministry of Highways to determine the usefulness of LiDAR data for forecasting slope stability in zones of high risk land slides.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Commercial and Residential Development - Lasermap has been contracted by several different engineering companies to deliver airborne LiDAR surveys of large land areas in support of the production of both commercial and residential development plans.
