GPI Geospatial selects RIEGL LiDAR system for complex airborne mapping missions

ORLANDO, Fla. Officials at GPI Geospatial Inc. (GPI) – a provider of precision mapping, imagery, LiDAR, and surveying services within the transportation, planning, design, construction, and government communities – in Babylon, New York, needed a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) solution able to meet the needs of complex airborne mapping missions. They found their solution, the VQ-1560i ultra-high-performance airborne LiDAR system, at RIEGL in Orlando, Florida.

Engineers at GPI, an established user of RIEGL airborne, mobile, and terrestrial sensors and systems, have chosen to add the VQ-1560i to their toolbox of advanced digital sensors to further expand their capabilities. The RIEGLairborne sensor will further allow GPI to provide advanced mapping solutions, officials say.

The RIEGL VQ-1560i is an ultra-high-performance, dual-channel waveform processing airborne LiDAR mapping system well prepared to fulfill the challenging demands of complex airborne mapping missions. The integrated and calibrated system is equipped with a seamlessly integrated high-performance global navigation satellite system)/inertial measurement unit (GNSS/IMU) system and a primary Phase One 100-megapixel RGB (red, green, blue) camera. Based on RIEGL’s sophisticated Waveform-LIDAR technology, the system is capable of online waveform processing, as well as full and smart waveform recording, delivering information-rich scan data for post processing.

“GPI is extremely excited to purchase the RIEGL VQ-1560i. This sensor will position GPI to enter new markets and disciplines in support of our Geospatial Branch strategic growth plan,” says GPI Geospatial President Paul Badr. “The professional use and ownership of sophisticated sensors and software continues to position GPI in a leadership position by offering superior and accurate mapping products to many of our clients who demand and expect creative and proven technology solutions.”

“This decision proves the forward-thinking strategy of GPI in the geospatial field and will enable them to generate industry leading deliverables to their clients,” says Johannes Riegl, Jr., president of RIEGLUSA.

All about accuracy and efficiency, GPI provides precise, accurate mapping products and deliverables to their clients in applications and markets such as state Department of Transportation (DOT) work, private development, transmission modeling, utility surveys, countywide and statewide projects, etc. GPI provides cutting edge remote sensing services utilizing our advanced RIEGLLiDAR sensors. The VQ-1560i will enable them to fly at higher altitudes and delivering increased point cloud density.

GPI Geospatial Inc. (GPI) is committed to being the most trusted provider of precision mapping and surveying services within the transportation planning, design, and construction communities. GPI is experienced in LiDAR, mobile LiDAR, digital orthophotography, and high-definition (HD) video acquisition and processing. The company provides high-accuracy, simultaneous data collection using multiple sensors from our fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter, or ground-based vehicles.

GPI’s personnel includes 13 licensed professional surveyors and licensed photogrammetrists, 5 ASPRS certified photogrammetrists (CP), 2 GIS professional (GISP), and over 75 employees -- many with more than 20 years of experience.

Celebrating 40 years in 2018, RIEGL is an international provider of technology in airborne, mobile, terrestrial, industrial and unmanned laser scanning solutions.

RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.

RIEGL’s core Smart-Waveform technologies provide pure digital LiDAR signal processing, unique methodologies for resolving range ambiguities, multiple targets per laser shots, optimum distribution of measurements, calibrated amplitudes, and reflectance estimates, as well as the seamless integration and calibration of systems.

RIEGL’s various 3D scanners offer a wide array of performance characteristics and serve as a platform for continuing “Innovation in 3D” for the LiDAR industry.

Worldwide sales, training, support and services are delivered from RIEGL’s headquarters in Austria, main offices in the USA, Japan, and China, and by a worldwide network of representatives covering Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

For airport mapping applications, GPI Geospatial operates multiple aircraft equipped with Airborne GPS (ABGPS) and Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU) technology for imagery and LiDAR acquisition in order to produce highly accurate topographic and planimetric maps to identify obstructions, such as towers, buildings, and vegetation. Additionally, where appropriate, GPI’s advanced approach includes simultaneous LiDAR and digital imagery acquisition. Once combined, orthophotography and 3D LiDAR data surfaces are exceptional for airspace analysis of runway approach surfaces for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).