Drone LiDAR: Delivering Better Data, Faster for a Major Highway Expansion in Nova Scotia

Drone LiDAR: Delivering Better Data, Faster for a Major Highway Expansion in Nova Scotia

In large-scale infrastructure projects, time and accuracy are everything. For an engineering firm working on the twinning of two major highways, the challenge was clear: capture detailed topographic data fast enough to keep construction planning on track without compromising on quality.

That’s where our drone-based LiDAR came in.

Using Drone LiDAR to Accelerate Surveying Projects

The project centered around the expansion of Highways 103 and 104 in Nova Scotia, corridors undergoing major upgrades to improve traffic flow and safety. Each highway required a detailed survey over 15 kilometers of terrain to guide the engineering and construction work ahead.

Traditional surveying methods for a project of this scale would have involved weeks of fieldwork, a time delay that would rather be avoided. The engineering contractor turned to drone LiDAR to speed up the process. They reached out to AeroVision to get the job done.

Our role was to capture and deliver a classified point cloud of each corridor, effectively creating the digital “master copy” of the terrain before any major work began. Equipping them with this point cloud, the engineering firm could calculate the overall project timeline, labour costs, and foresee any potential challenges that lay ahead.

Why Existing Data Wasn’t Enough

There was already provincial data available for the area, but it wasn’t going to cut it for this job. That earlier dataset had been collected before the corridor was cleared, meaning it still captured dense tree cover. The dataset is also usually a lower-density model than required because it was captured from a manned helicopter, which cannot get as close to the ground as a drone can. 

For engineers trying to calculate cut-and-fill volumes or understand true ground conditions, that’s a problem. They needed a current snapshot of the terrain after the trees had been removed to get an accurate scan to compare against their own measurements. Anything less would have meant working from an outdated surface.

Our drone LiDAR setup allowed us to deliver current and detailed data quickly, giving the engineering team a clear and immediate understanding of the ground they were about to plan to reshape and build upon.

Flying the Corridor and Delivering Results in Days

Each site was flown over a four-day period. We used the DJI M350 RTK to capture high-resolution point cloud data over the entire length of each highway corridor.

Once the airspace was cleared and flight paths validated, the mission itself was flown on an automated flight pattern. This ensured consistent altitude, overlap, and sensor performance throughout the corridor, critical factors in producing clean, highly dense, and usable data.

The point cloud data was then processed by our team and delivered, ready for integration into the firm’s internal workflows for a wide range of uses.

How LiDAR Drone Surveys Delivered Speed, Accuracy, and Flexibility

The value of drone LiDAR became clear almost immediately for the engineering team.

First, there was a dramatic improvement in speed. Each 15 kilometer stretch was completed in just four days. Compared to traditional land surveying methods, this cut down not only field time but also the overall project duration.

Accuracy was another major advantage. Because the flights took place after a clear-cut, there was minimal vegetation interference. The resulting scans revealed the true ground surface, exactly what engineers need when calculating precise earthworks like cut-and-fill.

This approach also delivered cost savings. With fewer people required on-site and shorter timelines, operational costs were significantly reduced. There was no need for repeat visits or follow-up surveys, since the data provided went well beyond what was available through public sources.

Finally, the flexibility of the output made a difference. We delivered a clean, classified point cloud that gave the engineering team full control over how they used the data—whether for modeling, volume measurement, or integration into their existing GIS platforms.

What This Project Proves About Drone LiDAR in Infrastructure Planning

This project highlights a broader shift in how infrastructure projects are getting done. Drone LiDAR isn't just a new way to collect data, it's a more efficient way to manage entire project timelines. By replacing slow, labour-intensive survey methods with fast, high-resolution aerial scanning, companies can move from planning to execution in a fraction of the time.

That speed doesn’t come at the expense of quality. In fact, the data is often more accurate, more current, and easier to integrate into existing workflows. 

The result? Engineering firms and contractors can take on more projects with fewer boots on the ground, reduced safety risks, and tighter control over costs.

This is what doing more with less really looks like: using advanced drone technology to scale up output without scaling up resources. 

It’s not just a competitive edge. It’s quickly becoming the new standard.

Thinking About Using LiDAR in Your Next Project?

If you’re working on an infrastructure project that demands speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency, drone-based LiDAR may be exactly what you need.

We specialize in delivering data that fits your project, not just in format, but in function. Whether you need a turnkey survey solution or simply want a better point cloud to feed into your existing design workflows, we can help.

Get in touch today to learn how we can support your next project with modern aerial data collection that works as hard as you do.

 

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