Project Objectives
A 340ha parcel of land, located one hour west of Sydney, was assessed by developers for a preliminary development application.
High Exposure was engaged to survey the area with an aim to provide essential data for planners to understand key factors influencing planning, construction, environmental, and social considerations.
Drone based LiDAR was chosen as the appropriate tool to complete the job effectively
Challenges
- Areas with High Vegetation – The LiDAR sensor is capable of penetrating vegetation to provide accurate elevation data beneath tree canopies. The multiple returns capability of the sensor allows it to fit in between the tiny gaps of the leaves to reach the ground.
Varying Terrain Elevations – The site featured steep, uneven, and rocky terrain, requiring careful flight planning to ensure comprehensive data capture.
Limited Access – Overgrown roads and rugged terrain made ground access difficult, necessitating the use of drone-based LiDAR to efficiently survey inaccessible areas.
Lack of Internet Connectivity – The absence of stable internet access was mitigated using a starlink mini dish, which maintained an RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) fix for GNSS equipment, ensuring high positional accuracy.
Colourised point cloud LiDAR data set shown on the left. The image on the right shows the vegetation removed after ground points were classified.
Methodology
Flight Planning – The drone mission was meticulously planned to optimize coverage, maintain consistent data overlap, and adjust for varying elevations.
Ground Control – Strategically placed Ground Control Points (GCPs) were used to enhance accuracy and validate the dataset.
Drone LiDAR Capture – Flight and sensor parameters were carefully configured to suit the intended data application. Additionally, an integrated camera captured RGB imagery, enabling the LiDAR point cloud to be colorized for enhanced visualization.
Results
The collected LiDAR data underwent rigorous processing to generate deliverables. Checkpoint validation in non-vegetated areas showed tolerances between 50-70mm, ensuring high precision.
Classification of Data – LiDAR points were classified into ground, vegetation, structures, roads, power poles and power lines.
Ground Point Extraction – Raw LiDAR points were processed to extract true ground elevation, filtering out vegetation and structures.
Contour File – A detailed contour dataset was generated, assisting planners in understanding the site’s topography.
Digital Terrain Model (DTM) – The final DTM provided a highly accurate representation of the terrain, essential for planning and design.
Conclusion
High Exposure successfully delivered a comprehensive LiDAR survey that provided planners with precise topographic data, overcoming significant access and connectivity challenges. The highly accurate elevation models and contour files enabled informed decision-making for the preliminary development application, reinforcing the value of drone-based LiDAR for complex terrain analysis.
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