Laser Surveying: Its Origins and What It Means to Surveyors

Laser survey, also called aerial laser survey by the courts, is the airborne survey systems based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR). Technological measures this distance, space, and other properties of the target by using light to focus on it. The most common method for doing so involves a laser. If you are looking for lidar technology companies then check https://www.lidarinsurance.com/.

With the nature of three-dimensional laser scanning, high definition survey can be used for architecture and engineering. Due to recent advances in technology, this process is now the most efficient in providing the highest quality detail for both the interior and exterior of the building work.

Image Source: Google 

As a complement, sophisticated software used to interpret the data for the Digital Terrain Model, combined with photographs, producing a vectorized map.

In the 1990s, basic surveying instruments including measuring tape for a short distance, level to measure the height or elevation differences, and a set of Theodolite on a tripod, combined with triangulation, to measure angles. From areas with known location and elevation, distance and angle to a point which is not known to be measured.

As the field progresses, modern instruments have been used to adapt to the needs of technology. Addressing this issue, total station, basically a Theodolite with electronic distance measuring device (EDM) is used for leveling when set to the horizontal plane. This instrument is transferred using optical-mechanical devices for a fully electronic.

Modern total stations do not use reflectors to return light pulse to keep anymore, they are fully robotic, and even have the capacity to send e-mail via satellite positioning system, or Global Positioning System, to increase the process speed.

While the total station is still prevalent today, GPS systems do not work in areas with dense tree population or construction. For this, the robotic total station let surveyors gather precise measurements through a telescope and record information. The most state-of-the-art measurements of larger areas without a hitch involving a helicopter with laser scanning and GPS capabilities.