Aerial LIDAR Mapping and Surveys
Colourised Point Clouds, Detailed Surface Models, Breaklines and Features
Queensland Drones delivers precise, high quality Aerial LIDAR Mapping on-demand for 3D visualisation, digital twin creation, vegetation mapping, feature mapping, contour mapping, volumetric analysis and more. We work primarily with engineers, surveyors and property developers to deliver CAD- and BIM-ready data including breakline-constrained TiN Mesh, 3D point clouds, drainage models, flood risk models and vegetation models.
ACCURATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
ARTERIAL ROAD MAPPING
Precision 3D LIDAR mapping of a major arterial road intersection using surveyed ground controls, with CAD and BIM ready outputs including contours, breaklines, breakline-constrained TiN Mesh, DEM and DSM, thinned point cloud and high quality orthomosaic.
ACCURATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
CORRIDOR MAPPING
Precise 3D LIDAR mapping of an 8km rural road corridor, using surveyed ground controls, with CAD and BIM ready precision outputs including terrain contours, 3D breaklines, breakline-constrained TiN Mesh, DEM and DSM, thinned point cloud and high quality orthomosaic.
ACCURATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
INFRASTRUCTURE MAPPING
Precision 3D LIDAR mapping with planimetric identification of road centre lines and edges, gutters, kerbs, driveways and entrances, fences, gates, bridges, creeks, powerlines and changes of elevation.
ACCURATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
URBAN STREETSCAPES
Precise 3D LIDAR mapping of an urban streetscape including adjoining properties, using precision ground control, with CAD-BIM outputs including 3D point cloud, breakline-constrained TiN Mesh, planimetric features, DTM and DEM.
ACCURATE AND COST-EFFECTIVE
WATER CATCHMENTS
Detailed 3D LIDAR survey of a 380Ha former cattle farm to inform catchment rehabilitation. CAD-ready outputs including high quality orthomosaic, 3D colourised point cloud, TiN Mesh, elevation contours water flow model, flood model and detailed vegetation metrics.
ACCURATE, TIMELY AND COST-EFFECTIVE
FLOOD DAMAGE MAPPING
Detailed 3D LIDAR mapping of more than 240 linear KM of rivers and creeks to inform post-flood damage and debris field identification. GIS-ready outputs including ASPRS-classified colourised point clouds, high quality orthomosaics, and ground-classified DEMs.
ACCURATE, TIMELY AND COST-EFFECTIVE
REDEVELOPMENT SITE MAPPING
Precision 3D LIDAR survey a property planned for major redevelopment to identify existing features and infrastructure including roads, fences, gates, buildings, dams and major vegetation areas. Precision outputs including colourised point cloud, DEM, planimetric features and breaklines.
ACCURATE, TIMELY AND COST-EFFECTIVE
DRAINAGE MODELLING
Precision 3D LIDAR survey of drainage channels and storm water gabions to inform redevelopment of a semi-urban water catchment site. Precision GCPs and CAD-ready outputs including high quality ortho, classified and colourised point cloud, DEM, breakline-constrained TiN Mesh and feature planimetrics map.
Enquire now about our LIDAR Mapping Services...
How Accurate is LIDAR Mapping?
Our PPK-enabled drone LIDAR mapping sensor with 12 returns and fully integrated and calibrated 100MP RGB mapping camera delivers accuracy of 5cm XY / 10cm vertical without ground control, improving to 3cm XY / 5cm vertical with sufficient ground control, and up to 2cm XY / 3cm vertical when combined with ground control plus data checking by a registered surveyor. Actual results depend on terrain, ground surface, and thickness of ground cover.
Use Cases for Aerial LIDAR Mapping
Our UAV LIDAR mapping and aerial LIDAR survey services are designed for:
- 3D modelling of buildings and developments
- Topographic mapping of land and properties
- 3D and volumetric mapping for mines and quarries
- Vegetation mapping for environmental management and agronomy
- Tree counts and tree metrics for forestry and orchards
- Precise elevation, contour and survey mapping
- Levelling, excavation and cut-fill calculations
- Archaeology and cultural heritage management
- Highway construction and corridor mapping
- Powerline mapping and vegetation modelling
Enquire now about our Aerial Lidar Mapping Services
Aerial LIDAR Mapping Deliverables
We provide a full LIDAR point cloud and RGB orthomosaic data processing service delivering BIM/CAD ready outputs including:
- 3D fully colourised point cloud (LAS, LAZ or XYZ format)
- ASPRS-classified point cloud (full or thinned to your specification)
- Point Cloud classified to ground, buildings, powerlines, vegetation, etc.
- Planimetric feature identification (vector mapping of structures and infrastructure)
- Digital Elevation Model (DEM - actual ground and ground-based structures)
- Digital Terrain Model (DTM/DSM bare earth model)
- Precise Elevation Contours (DWG, SHP or other formats)
- 2D high resolution orthographic imagery (GeoTIF or ECW format)
- Terrain profiling (elevations across slices of terrain)
- Water pooling projections (flood risk mapping, water storage planning)
- Volumetric calculations (cut and fill, stockpile, change measurement)
- Accurate height calculation of above ground objects
How Do You Access LIDAR Maps?
Once the colourised LIDAR mapping data and RGB photos have been transformed into precise aerial mapping deliverables, you can access them in a number of ways:
- Download from our Secure Client Portal - a cloud-based delivery system
- On a USB Drive - we can post the deliverables to your office
- On a Secure Presentation Platform - you can browse all kinds of mapping outputs on the internet
We suggest that you discuss your output requirements and how you plan to use them with our consultant before ordering your aerial LIDAR mapping survey, so we both know what to expect.
The Process of Drone LIDAR Mapping
Our aerial LIDAR mapping is not reliant on flight schedules or complicated setups. Our qualified and experienced UAV pilots can be on-site usually within a matter of days to capture the data you require.
Most of our drone LIDAR mapping data processing is done in-house, so you don't need to wait weeks to see the results either.
We can deliver the outputs of our service in formats you can load into your own BIM, CAD or other GIS mapping systems, or we can host your data in our own Global Cloud Server for you to access and share with others as required.
Enquire now about our Lidar Mapping Deliverables
Drone LIDAR Mapping for Surveyors and Engineers
Queensland Drones specialises in working with registered surveyors and engineers to achieve precision LIDAR survey mapping for design, construction and cadastral projects. Visit Drone Lidar Mapping for Engineers and Surveyors to find out more.
Extending the reach of your traditional survey teams using UAV LIDAR Mapping should not mean any loss of accuracy of fidelity in the overall survey data. In fact, it should extend the fidelity of your ground survey to a much larger area, with much greater levels of information.
Our air crew and ground crew can work on-site with your survey team, or independently as preferred. Give Tony a call on 1300 246 977 to discuss your survey requirements, or complete the enquiry form below and we'll get back to you to discuss options.
Find Out More About UAV LIDAR Mapping For Your Project
Interested in what it costs to have an Aerial LIDAR Mapping Survey? Check this out:
We hope to add more case studies in the near future, so please check back regularly for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aerial LIDAR Mapping
What is aerial LiDAR mapping?
Aerial LiDAR mapping uses a drone-mounted laser scanner to capture millions of precise 3D measurements of the ground and everything on it, even through vegetation cover. The result is a dense, classified point cloud that can be turned into digital elevation models, contours, breaklines and other CAD- and BIM-ready outputs for engineering, surveying, mining, environmental and property development projects.
How accurate is drone LiDAR mapping?
Using PPK positioning, accuracy depends on how much ground control is used: typically 5cm XY / 10cm vertical with no ground control, improving to 3cm XY / 5cm vertical with sufficient ground control, and up to 2cm XY / 3cm vertical when combined with data checking by a registered surveyor. Results vary with terrain, ground surface, and thickness of ground cover.
What's the difference between LiDAR mapping and drone photogrammetry?
LiDAR uses laser pulses that can penetrate gaps in vegetation to measure the true ground surface underneath, while photogrammetry builds 3D models from overlapping photos and can only capture what the camera can see. LiDAR is generally the better choice for vegetated, forested or visually obstructed sites, while photogrammetry can be more cost-effective for open, clear terrain.
Is a LiDAR survey the same as LiDAR mapping?
The terms are often used interchangeably. LiDAR mapping typically refers to the broader data capture and 3D modelling process, while LiDAR survey is often used when the output needs to meet formal survey-grade standards, such as validation against traditional ground control by a registered surveyor.
What can aerial LiDAR mapping be used for?
Common applications include 3D modelling of buildings and developments, topographic and contour mapping, volumetric analysis for mines and quarries, vegetation and tree metrics for forestry and agronomy, levelling and cut-fill calculations, drainage and flood risk modelling, corridor mapping for roads and rail, and cultural heritage and archaeology documentation.
What deliverables do you get from an aerial LiDAR mapping survey?
Typical deliverables include a classified, colourised 3D point cloud, a ground-classified Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Surface Model (DSM), breakline-constrained TIN mesh, precision elevation contours, and a high-quality orthomosaic, all delivered in CAD- and BIM-ready formats.
