No International protocols: There are no strict international protocols that guide the collection and analysis of the data when using LiDAR technology hence it is done haphazardly.Įlevation errors due to inability to penetrate very dense forests: In some instances where the canopies over the forests are dense, the LiDAR pulses may not be able to penetrate the canopies thus returning incomplete data. For this reason, it may take a lot of time to analyze the data. Very large datasets that are difficult to interpret: LiDAR is a technology that collects very huge datasets that require a high level of analysis and interpretation. Unreliable for water depth and turbulent breaking waves: When it is used on water surfaces or where the surface is not uniform, it may not return accurate data since high water depth will affect the reflection of the pulses. However, the data collected can still be used for analysis.ĭegraded at high sun angles and reflections: LiDAR technology does not work well in areas or situations where there are high sun angles or huge reflections since the laser pulses depend on the principle of reflection. Ineffective during heavy rain or low hanging clouds: LiDAR pulses may be affected by heavy rains or low hanging clouds because of the effects of refraction. High operating costs in some applications: Although LiDAR is cheap when used in huge applications, it can be expensive when applied in smaller areas when collecting data. It is cheap: LiDAR technology is a cheaper method of remote sensing in several applications especially when dealing with vast areas of land considering the fact that it is fast and extremely accurate. This means that data can still be collected under these conditions and sent for analysis.Ĭan be used to map inaccessible and featureless areas: LiDAR technology can be used to map inaccessible featureless areas such as high mountains and thick snow areas. It is not affected by extreme weather: LiDAR technology is independent of extreme weather conditions such as extreme sunlight and other weather scenarios. This also ensures valuable time is saved especially during the data collection and data analysis phase. It has minimum human dependence: LiDAR technology, unlike photogrammetry and surveying has minimum human dependence since most of the processes are automated. It can be integrated with other data sources: LiDAR technology is a versatile technology that can be integrated with other data sources which makes it easier to analyze complex data automatically.
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This improves its efficiency.ĭoes not have any geometry distortions: LiDAR sensors are not affected by any geometrical distortions such as angular landscapes unlike other forms of data collection. It is not affected by light variations such as darkness and light. This means it can map even the densely forested areas.Ĭan be used day and night: LiDAR technology can be used day and night thanks to the active illumination sensor. This improves results for some kinds of applications such as flood plain delineation.Ĭapable of collecting elevation data in a dense forest: LiDAR technology is capable of collecting elevation data from a densely populated forest thanks to the high penetrative abilities. LiDAR gives a much higher surface density as compared to other methods of data collection such as photogrammetry.
![sms surface water modeling system pros and cons sms surface water modeling system pros and cons](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/1-sms-cms-resources-190708042118/95/cms-flow-model-sms-130-20-638.jpg)
Surface data has a higher sample density. We highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of using LiDAR.ĭata can be collected quickly and with high accuracy: LiDAR is an airborne sensing technology that makes data collection fast and comes with extremely high accuracy as a result of the positional advantage. While LiDAR comes with a lot of advantages, there are some limitations of LiDAR that make it quite difficult to use. Because of its precise data collection and accuracy, it is one of the most preferred remote sensing technologies in the world today.
![sms surface water modeling system pros and cons sms surface water modeling system pros and cons](https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/24/5985/2020/hess-24-5985-2020-f03-web.png)
LiDAR technology has penetrated most of the industries with the major ones being construction and automotive.