What is Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)?

LIDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that measures the exact distance to a specified target. It uses pulses of laser light to measure the time it takes for the beam to bounce back from the surface. We utilize a Leica ALS60 Corridor Mapper mounted in a Bell 206L Long Ranger helicopter. LiDAR operates the same way that radar measures radio waves and SONAR measures sound pulses, although LiDAR can penetrate vegetation and accurately measure very small targets.

Why LiDAR?

High Accuracy LiDAR
Our aerial platform, a Bell Long Ranger Helicopter, is outfitted with the Leica ALS60 Laser Scanner and the Leica RCD 105 Digital Camera. We can scan at a maximum rate of 200,000 KHz which translates to a point cloud as high as 150 points/m² and generates an accuracy of three cm or less.

High Definition Digital Images
Our Leica 39 megapixel RCD 105 Digital Camera is capable of producing images at two inches per pixel or higher.

Licensed Engineers & Surveyers
Western is a full-service civil engineering and land surveying firm which means that our field and flight crews are staffed with Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors who truly understand data collection in real-time.

Reliable Topographic Mapping
Our aircraft offers lower speed and lower altitude data collection. Flight altitude ranges from 200-1,600 meters which provides higher accuracy topographic mapping. Our elevations average two-tenths of a foot or less.

LiDAR Services

Our adaptability and experience in every terrain means that we can cost-effectively serve your data collection and LiDAR needs, whether you are located in the Rocky Mountain region or anywhere in the United States or Canada.

LiDAR Applications

  • Railroad Corridor Mapping
  • Highway Corridor Mapping
  • Pipeline Corridor Mapping
  • Power Transmission Line Corridor
  • Open-Pit Mine Monitoring
  • Landfill Monitoring
  • Stream Channel Monitoring
  • Floodplain Mapping
  • Airport Obstruction Mapping
  • Refinery and Chemical Plant Mapping
  • Hazardous Waste Site Mapping
  • As-Built Construction Mapping
  • Vegitation and Canopy Analysis
  • Accident and Crime Scene Mapping
  • Oil & Gas Exploration
  • Real Estate Development

LiDAR Deliverables

  • Raw LiDAR point data
  • Digital Elevation Models (DEM's)
  • Bare Earth Digital Terrain Models (DTM's)
  • Countour Maps
  • Colorized Point Clouds
  • Surface Quantity Comparison
  • Orthometric Photos
  • Topographic Mapping
  • Transmission Line Mapping
  • Open-Pit Quantity Analysis
  • 3D As-Builts

Western Research & Development, Ltd.
5908 Yellowstone Road
Suite B Cheyenne, Wy 82009
Tel (307) 632-5656