Light Detection and Ranging — a remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D models of the Earth's surface.
LiDAR sensors emit rapid laser pulses and measure the time it takes for each pulse to return after bouncing off a surface. By recording millions of these measurements, LiDAR creates a dense point cloud that can be processed into highly accurate elevation models, building footprints, tree canopy maps, and more.
LiDAR is collected from aircraft, drones, or ground-based scanners. Airborne LiDAR surveys are used to produce high-resolution DEMs for flood mapping, infrastructure planning, and forestry management.
Example: The City of Vancouver has published LiDAR-derived elevation data as open data. Urban planners use it to model flood risk, assess solar potential on rooftops, and plan green infrastructure. The point cloud data is also used to create 3D city models.