LiDAR 101
LiDAR Resources
Explore how LiDAR works, what it produces, and how it is used across mapping, planning, and environmental applications.
What is LiDAR?
Light Detection and Ranging
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth's surface or other objects. It works by emitting laser beams and measuring the time it takes for the beams to reflect off a target and return to the sensor.
By calculating the time of flight, LiDAR systems can create highly accurate, three-dimensional (3D) maps of the environment. LiDAR is collected via a ranging laser sensor and GPS technology — the sensor measures by bouncing light off a surface to determine the distance between two points.
The following resources provide information about LiDAR including its fundamental principles, technology, and various applications.
Key Components
- Laser: Emits pulses of light toward the target surface
- Sensor: Measures the return time of reflected light
- GPS & IMU: Determines precise position and orientation of the sensor
Types of LiDAR
- Aerial: Aircraft or drones mapping large areas
- Terrestrial: Ground-based scanning
- Bathymetric: Mapping underwater terrain
Applications
- Topographic mapping
- Forestry & vegetation
- Flood risk modeling
- Urban planning
- Environmental monitoring
- Autonomous navigation
Data Products & Use Cases
What LiDAR produces
LiDAR is valued for its precision, ability to penetrate foliage, and the high-resolution data it provides — making it a critical tool in geography, geology, archaeology, and autonomous technology.
Point Cloud
Raw LiDAR data containing X, Y, Z coordinates for millions of points. Serves as the foundation for all derived products. Example: Laramie, WY — Rec Center Parking Lot and Detention Pond.
- 3D visualization
- Surface modeling
- Feature extraction
DEM
Digital Elevation Model — bare-earth elevation without trees or buildings. Example: Wyoming 10m from USGS Data.
- Flood modeling
- Slope & terrain analysis
- Mapping & visualization
DTM
Digital Terrain Model — enhanced terrain including natural and man-made features. Example: Snowy Range, Wyoming — created by Woolpert for contour creation.
- Infrastructure planning
- Land-use analysis
- Environmental assessment
Contours
2-foot elevation contours derived from high-resolution LiDAR. Example: Contours overlaid on a DTM in NW Wyoming.
- Flood mapping
- Site planning
- Watershed analysis
National Resources