A national lidar dataset refers to a high-resolution

lidar Lidar (, also LIDAR, or LiDAR; sometimes LADAR) is a method for determining ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver. It can also be ...

dataset comprising most—and ideally all—of a nation’s terrain. Datasets of this type typically meet specified quality standards and are publicly available for free (or at nominal cost) in one or more uniform formats from government or academic sources. National LiDAR datasets are used primarily in

topographic mapping In modern mapping, a topographic map or topographic sheet is a type of map characterized by large- scale detail and quantitative representation of relief features, usually using contour lines (connecting points of equal elevation), but historic ...

, and also for forestry, urban and rural planning, recreational, environmental, engineering, and geological studies and planning, among others. Countries with national lidar datasets either completed or in progress include: {, class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" , - ! Country ! Dataset Status ! Resolution (pts/m²) ! Source ! Additional Information , - , Canada , Montréal completed, 2015 , 10

, , - , Denmark , Completed, 2008, 2013 , 4

, Pointspacing is from 4/m2 to 1.6m , - , Estonia , Completed , 0.15-18

, Planning to cover the country after each four years , - , Finland , Completed , 0.5

, , - , Latvia , In progress, 2013-2018 , 4

, , - , Netherlands , Completed, 2003 , 1/25 - 1/16 (AHN1), 6 - 10 (AHN2)

, Pointspacing is 4-5 m for AHN-1 and 6-10 points/m² for AHN-2. Data became available 2014. AHN-3 (third scan of the country, to be completed 2019) is partially available since September 2015 , , - , Poland , In progress , from 4 to 12

, IT project for protecting the country against extraordinary threats , - , Slovenia , Completed, 2015 , 5

, Created by the

Slovenian Environment Agency The Slovenian Environment Agency (Slovenian: ''Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje'' or ''ARSO'') is the main organisation for environment of the Republic of Slovenia. It was established in 2001 with a reorganisation of the ''Hydrometeorological ...

as a basis for environmental threat protection models. Some landslide- and flood-prone areas were scanned at 10 pts/m², some remote areas only at 2 pts/m². Data is available for free for any purpose (attribution is required). , - , Spain , Completed, 2015. Second survey in progress , 0.5

, It is part o
National Orthophoto Project
, - , Sweden , In progress , 0.5

, , - , Switzerland , Completed, in progress (until 2024) , 1, 5 - 15

Open Data accessSample LIDAR Dataset - Switzerland
, - , USA , In discussion , n/a

,

National LIDAR Dataset - USA Currently, the best source for nationwide LiDAR availability from public sources is the United States Interagency Elevation Inventory (USIEI). The USIEI is a collaborative effort of NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey, with contributions from the Fe ...

, - , England , In progress , 0.5, 1.0, 4.0 and 16.0

, National LIDAR Dataset - England, carried out by the Environment Agency. 75% coverage of England at 2m resolution or higher. Composite, Tiled (historic) LIDAR and Point Cloud are available as Open Data. , - , New Zealand , In discussion , n/a

, Requests for source point cloud data by contacting LINZ directly at imagery@linz.govt.nz , -

See also