Next generation LiDAR system from Leica Geosystems reduces acquisition costs and provides greater flexibility of flying lower while doubling point density.

(Norcross, Ga., 20 May 2008) McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., one of Canada's most prestigious consulting firms, specializing in engineering, surveying, mapping, environmental services and planning, has purchased the Leica ALS50-II airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system with unique Multiple Pulse in the Air (MPiA) capabilities from Leica Geosystems to support aerial mapping projects around the world.

Dan Tresa, Branch Manager with McElhanney Consulting Services, says, “LiDAR, now widely used for mining and transmission corridor projects, is increasingly valuable for municipal projects that range from environmental monitoring to engineering mapping. The ALS50-II with MPiA rounds out our geomatics capabilities, opening the door to provide advanced remote sensing services to international clients with speed and accuracy, regardless of geographic location or challenging environments.”

The Leica ALS50-II compact, airborne LIDAR system, designed to create highly accurate and much denser digital elevation models, acquires topographical and return signal intensity data from numerous airborne platforms. The system computes this data using laser range and return signal intensity measurements recorded in-flight, along with position and attitude data taken from airborne GPS and inertial subsystems. The newest ALS50 allows accurate data collection independent of pulse rate. Instead data collection is dependent on a flying height envelope ranging from a helicopter-compatible 200m AGL to 6000m AGL for wide area mapping.

“The ALS50-II with MPiA capabilities is redefining how LIDAR mapping is done, allowing aerial surveyors to operate two pulses at one time. Now they can either fly higher and cover more area maintaining the point densities they were achieving with a single pulse in the air system while reducing acquisition costs, or increase their point densities by flying at the same height they would have with a single pulse in air system,” says Shawn Slade, Airborne Imaging and LiDAR Sales for the U.S. & Canada with Leica Geosystems. “Industry no longer has to choose between rapidly-acquired, high-density data and high accuracy. Now they can have it all in a compact system with high altitude performance.”

For more information about Leica Geosystems airborne LIDAR system, contact Shawn Slade at shawn.slade@leicaus.

For more information about McElhanney’s use of aerial mapping technology, contact Dan Tresa at dtresa@mcelhanney .

To access Leica Geosystems website, visit www.leica-geosystems.us.