Building the world's most precise mapping products

For many years, LiDAR vs. photogrammetry debates dominated talk at conferences, impacting the decisions made by surveyors and solutions providers. The evolution of aerial mapping and geospatial services, along with a shift from analog machines to LiDAR and drones, further impacted these conversations and compelled arguments about which was most suitable for projects of varying scope and size.

Michael Crain saw those discussions firsthand, which helped him define an approach that integrated LiDAR and photogrammetry to deliver customized, high-quality mapping products. It’s an approach that many recognized as being essential since the “vs” nature of these discussions was always missing the point. Delivering customized assets like contour maps and terrain maps was all that ever mattered, and those assets were based on data validation and scheduling that met project needs.

The right tools for the right projects

As a certified photogrammetrist, Crain has been in the industry for a long time. He began with analog machines but made the shift to digital as the technology started to evolve. He was also part of an even bigger shift when LiDAR and drones began to be widely available. His photogrammetry background has proven to be invaluable as part of projects for clients in the private, municipal, state and federal sectors, many of which have utilized both LiDAR and photogrammetry asset along with orthoImagery.

“The big change for me was how LiDAR and photogrammetry could be thought of as two different ways to create an asset,” Crain explained. “With photogrammetry, you're taking the imagery and creating a map from the imagery. With LiDAR, you’re pulling that mapping info out of something much larger so it’s a different way to think about the eventual map and asset that you need.”

Crain mentioned the preference to utilize LiDAR as the technology improved, but drones completely changed how surveyors were thinking about photogrammetry. Drones allowed them to fly smaller sites, and the quality of the imagery was striking, all of which created new opportunities with hydrographic mapping and topographic mapping. However, the limitations of both approaches needed to be recognized.

Some clients may have unrealistic expectations, believing that LiDAR can penetrate any vegetation, regardless of the season. Educating clients about these limitations, such as seasonal variations in data accuracy, is crucial. By effectively managing client expectations and focusing on delivering customized, high-accuracy mapping products, Crain is working to ensure successful project outcomes.

Quality Products, Scheduling Flexibility and Essential Education

Surveyors and engineers demand highly accurate data, and that type of data is a fundamental component of DroneView Technologies' value proposition. Additionally, flexibility around scheduling in terms of when and how data is captured and delivered is possible thanks to their trusted network of aerial imagery and LiDAR data acquisition partners. Finally, internal experts provide valuable feedback and education to help DroneView Technologies' clients make informed decisions for both short-term and long-term projects.

“Each project is an individual, customized mapping product,” Crain explained. “We're delivering high accuracy, large scale mapping for design purposes that have the quality someone needs, based on the time that makes sense for them, and fits expectations that we can outline. The details are always going to vary, but they’ll always be based on what makes sense for the project, rather than something that we’re familiar with or is driven by timing and details that make sense for us.”

A few examples of how those details can change or be interpreted are related to flying in February when leaves are off versus July when they aren’t. Does it make sense to wait? Those details are part of the education that enables the delivery of a better mapping product depending on the need. They’re the types of specifics that Crain works through with clients and potential clients.

“Not only being a certified photogrammetrist, but having that expertise in-house makes a difference,” Crain said. “I love LiDAR and I love what I do, and I want that to be reflected in all of the work I put together.”

Want to see more from Michael? Read the full article or get in touch with the DroneView team.