Understanding LiDAR bathymetry for shallow waters and coastal mapping
Danson, Edwin
Airborne laser bathymetry offers the hydrographic community a very rapid and thorough wide area coverage solution for charting and data acquisition in shallow waters and along the coastal zone. Its non-impact technology provides the perfect solution for imaging delicate environments and for sensitive ecosystems. In particular, LiDAR bathymetry can survey, at IHO Order 1, those areas that are either denied to vessel based systems or where the risks are too great. The paper looks at the results obtained from trials and commercial projects undertaken by Admiralty Coastal Surveys, a collaborative venture of the UK Hydrographic Office with Blom ASA and Airborne Hydrography AB. In particular, the paper discusses the benefits and advantages, as well as the disadvantages, of LiDAR bathymetry acquisition and provides a brief review of the recent developments in data acquisition and processing. During the accompanying presentation, the cost-benefits of the technology are compared and contrasted with conventional solutions for a range of end-user applications. Finally, because LiDAR can cover sea areas many times faster than conventional surveys, LiDAR project planning, efficient operational methods and complementary values with multibeam echosounder surveys is discussed.
Event: XXIII International FIG Congress : Shaping the change
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