LiDAR Data Quality

QA/QC procedures are continued through all iterations of the data processing cycle. Data are typically passed through an automated set of macros for initial cleaning, a first edit by a trained technician, and a second review and edit by an advanced processor, and finally exported to a final product. All final products are reviewed for completeness and correctness before delivery. The goal of LiDAR processing is to achieve the following minimum requirements (or as laid out in the Scope of Work):

1. LiDAR data from different flight lines will be consistent across flight lines with a maximum 7-10 cm vertical offset between adjacent flight lines. This is referred to as the relative accuracy.
2. No data voids due to system malfunctions or lack of overlap.
3. Dense vegetation data voids minimized by automatic removal process.
4. The lineage (metadata), positional, content (completeness), attribution, and logical consistency accuracies of all digital elevation data produced will conform to the specifications.
5. Product Accuracy Information Reporting: Product accuracy information will be reported according to NSSDA guidelines. At a minimum, statements concerning source materials and production processes used will be provided in the metadata sufficient to meet the requirement of the ASPRS Elevation Data Vertical Accuracy Standards (see Chapter 3).
6. LiDAR data will be classified correctly with limited artifacts or misclassifications remaining in the dataset.
7. All LiDAR processing and editing will be consistent.
8. Statistics run on 100% of the data will verify file formatting, projection information, classes used, scan angles, returns per pulse, and nominal point density.