LiDAR and elevation data

Height and terrain shape flooding, construction and 3D models. LiDAR and elevation data make them precise. This guide covers sourcing them.

Why elevation data matters

Terrain and surface height drive water flow, line-of-sight, construction and 3D modelling. LiDAR provides precise elevation that 2D data cannot.

The data landscape

• Point clouds: dense 3D measurements.
• Digital terrain models (DTM): bare-earth height.
• Digital surface models (DSM): including buildings and vegetation.
• Derived: slope, canopy and building heights.

Common use cases

Flood and hydrological modelling, construction and earthworks, forestry and canopy, and 3D city and asset modelling.

Sourcing considerations

National LiDAR programmes provide open coverage in many countries; commercial and drone LiDAR add detail. Resolution, currency and formats vary, and large point clouds need efficient handling.

Delivery and governance

Most use cases use batch geospatial delivery. Most data is non-personal. Consistent referencing and formats matter.

In a managed model

A managed partner can source LiDAR and elevation data and derive the terrain products you need.

Terrain and surface models

LiDAR provides precise elevation that 2D data cannot, via point clouds, digital terrain and surface models and derived products like slope and canopy height. National LiDAR programmes give open coverage in many countries; commercial and drone LiDAR add detail.

Handling and referencing

Resolution, currency and formats vary, large point clouds need efficient handling, and consistent referencing matters for flood, construction, forestry and 3D-mapping use.

Sources & further reading

• National mapping and LiDAR programmes.
• Copernicus DEM and EO references.
• Open Geospatial Consortium: point-cloud standards.
• Internal practice: DataSupplier geospatial delivery.