Mobile LiDAR Mapping FAQs

Mobile LiDAR mapping has become more affordable in recent years. While there are many questions about how it works, it’s benefit , data format, how its is collected, we tried to cover the most frequently asked questions below. If you have more questions you would like us to answer, please send them to info@realityimt.com and we would be happy to answer them.

Please note. This page is not meant to address Airborne LiDAR, if you need info on Airborne LiDAR, you can visit ASPRS

Q: What is Mobile LiDAR and what is it used for?

Angular HD Mobile LiDAR Services Houston Gulf of Mexico

A: Mobile LiDAR is a method of collecting LiDAR data from a moving vehicle

LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging. It is an active remote sensing method that uses a laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the surrounding environment. When the laser is combined with GPS and Inertial Navigation System (INS) data, a precise dimension, shape and location on Earth is generated in 3D. 

Mobile LiDAR is used to map and survey corridors from the street level with high accuracy. Roads, highways and railways can be mapped at high speed without disturbing traffic.

Q: What are the benefits of Mobile LiDAR?

Mobile LiDAR Mapping

A: The benefits of mobile LiDAR include:

  • High density, high accuracy geospatial data
  • the Ideal solution for extracting street features as lines, polygons, or points.
  • Cost effective on linear projects
  • Provide rapid documentation of existing conditions.

Q: What is the difference between Aerial LiDAR and Mobile LiDAR

Aerial LiDAR Versus Mobile LIDAR

A: Aerial LiDAR Versus Street Level LiDAR

Aerial LiDAR
Street Level LiDAR
  • Has a typical point density of 240 cm
  • Used for general layout of blocks (Top view only)
  • Low density, Low accuracy
  • Street features not visible
  • Top of buildings are visible
  • Best tool for wide area mapping
  • Has a typical point density of 5cm
  • Used for general layout of blocks (street view-up)
  • High density, High accuracy
  • All street features visible and can be extracted
  • Top of buildings are not visible
  • Best tool for corridor mapping

Q: What type of data is produced by Vehicle Based LiDAR?

Vehicle Based LiDAR produces Pointcloud Data

In Surveying and Mapping, Mobile LiDAR data is always geo-referenced to either a local or a global coordinate system. The most common pointcloud data format from mobile lidar include: LAS, LAZ, XYZ

Related Mobile LiDAR Services

Mobile Mapping
Rail & Transit