North Carolina

Department of Transportation

NC Flood Plain LIDAR

Use at NCDOT

August 4, 2004
NC LIDAR Workgroup
NCSU
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Experience with LIDAR Elevation Data

NCDOT Photogrammetry Unit

NCDOT Hydraulics Unit

NCDOT Visualization Group

NCDOT GIS Unit

Contact Information
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Photogrammetry Unit

2000 - 2001: USDOT funded Technology Application Project

with EarthData
Documented accuracy and demonstrated potential for LIDAR elevation
data in transportation projects
Initial indication of computer technology related issues

2002: Utilized NC Flood Plain LIDAR for 20 projects

Validated accuracy and evaluated provided data for application to standard
mapping products
Developed Implementation Plan

2003: Utilized NC Flood Plain LIDAR for 30 projects

Continued with Implementation Plan
2004: Anticipate Using NC Flood Plain LIDAR for 80 projects
Now providing LIDAR elevation data to other NCDOT customers
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Photogrammetry Unit

Implementation Plan
Acquire 20 Foot Gridded LIDAR Elevation Data from NCFMP - currently have
Phase I and waiting for release of Phase II
Implemented a Program to Host, Access, & Reformat 20 Foot Gridded Data to
MicroStation DGN Format on NCDOT Photogrammetry Server for Internal
Customers
Utilize 20 Foot Gridded LIDAR Elevation Data for Orthorectification, Planning, and
Functional and Preliminary Design Mapping Products
Continue to Add Photogrammetric Breaklines to 20 Foot Gridded LIDAR Elevation
Data to Produce DTM Data for Functional and Preliminary Design
Will not Utilize NCFMP LIDAR Elevation Data for Final Design DTM Data or
Construction Earthwork Pay Quantity Calculations
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Photogrammetry Unit

Mapping Products that Utilize NC Flood Plain LIDAR

Digital Mosaic - used for corridor planning and environmental document
LIDAR used for orthorectification
Orthophotography - used for corridor evaluation and selection
LIDAR included as part of terrain data with limited photogrammetric
breaklines
LIDAR used for orthorectification
Topographic Mapping - used to establish project footprint and is often
base map for Design Public Hearing
LIDAR included as part of terrain data with extensive photogrammetric
breaklines

Typical Scale is 1=200

 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Hydraulics Unit

2003 - 2004: Utilized NC Flood Plain LIDAR to clarify and

resolve drainage and flooding disputes nearby NCDOT Projects

Disputes can arise during or post construction

Have used NC Flood Plain LIDAR for a few projects to date

NC Flood Plain LIDAR provided by Photogrammetry Unit

 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Visualization Group

2003 - 2004: Utilized NC Flood Plain LIDAR for terrain and

model surface for image rendering

Have used NC Flood Plain LIDAR for a few projects to date

NC Flood Plain LIDAR proved by Photogrammetry Unit or

obtained directly from NCEM

Sample Rendered Images from Wilmington, NC (Image and

building footprints from local governments)
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Visualization Group
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Visualization Group
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
GIS Unit

2002 - 2004: Developed and maintaining database and program

to retrieve 20 foot gridded LIDAR for use by Photogrammetry
Unit (DGN file)

2004: Developing a web site that provides contours or gridded

LIDAR for an entire county (output available as State Plane
Feet in shapefile or DGN file)
currently utilizes NC Flood Plain LIDAR and USGS DEM data

2004: Developing program to use raw LIDAR data to determine

building heights for NCDOT Visualization Group projects
 North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Contact Information

NCDOT Photogrammetry Unit

Mr. Keith Johnston (kjohnston@dot.state.nc.us)

NCDOT Hydraulics Unit

Mr. Dan Duffield (dduffield@dot.state.nc.us)

NCDOT Visualization Group

Mr. David Hinnant (dbhinnant@dot.state.nc.us)

NCDOT GIS Unit

Mr. Bill Miller (bmiller@dot.state.nc.us)