THE STATE OF ONLINE ACCESS TO LIDAR TOPOGRAPHY DATA AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

High-resolution topography data acquired with lidar (light detection and ranging) technology are revolutionizing the study of Earth surface processes. These data permit analysis of the mechanisms that drive landscape evolution at resolutions not previously possible yet essential for their appropriate representation. As a result, lidar data have emerged as a fundamental tool in the Earth sciences, and are also being widely utilized for biological, planning, engineering, and environmental applications.

Over the past decade, lidar data collection by federal, state, and local agencies have become commonplace. These public domain data are a valuable resource whose impact can be greatly enhanced by making the data widely available. However, lidar pose significant distribution challenges because of the volume and complexity of data that must be efficiently managed, archived, processed and integrated. A single lidar data acquisition may generate terabytes of data in the form of point clouds, digital elevation models (DEMs), and derivative products. This massive volume of data is often difficult to manage and challenging to host for resource-limited agencies. Furthermore, these data can be technically challenging for users who lack appropriate software, computing resources, and expertise.

Currently, online access to lidar topography data is provided by a patchwork of federal and state agency data websites that range from simple FTP sites to full-featured on-demand data processing portals. A user seeking lidar topography for an area of interest must determine if data exist, locate the appropriate data access pathway, and make sense of the available data products which may include various forms of point cloud data, DEMs, and other derived products.

Ongoing projects supported by NOAA, the USGS, the NSF, and various states are making strides towards improving data access for users, but challenges to wider utilization of lidar data remain. This presentation will explore the state of online access to lidar topography data, including an overview of available data, their specifications, and access mechanisms. Current and emerging challenges that impede utilization of lidar data will also be highlighted. We will also discuss opportunities and initiatives that have the potential to improve lidar data discovery and access.