EVALUATION OF AIRBORNE LIDAR DIGITAL TERRAIN MAPPING FOR HIGHWAY CORRIDOR PLANNING AND DESIGN

This paper presents some results of a recent study that has evaluated data accuracy, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the remote sensing LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology as compared to the conventional photogrammetry and ground total station methods for terrain data acquisition and mapping. An overview of airborne laser mapping technology for producing digital terrain models and digital databases for highway planning and design applications are presented. Airborne LIDAR permits elevation accuracy of 15 cm (6 in) and up to 0.3 m (1 ft) contours. There are no operating constraints, such as cloud and vegetation cover, traffic and usage, or time of day. Spaceborne remote sensing imagery from modern satellites is relatively inexpensive and rapid. Appropriate data analysis of modern high resolution imagery can provide up-to-date spatial information on highway corridors and surrounding areas. This can be a cost effective alternative for conventional aerial photography and an excellent base layer for overlaying digital LIDAR elevation data and contours.