Contact

Mike McCullough
Manager, Aerial Mapping & LiDAR
mike.mccullough@westwoodps.com
Main: 888-937-5150
Direct: 913-890-4802

Overview
The Westwood Aerial Mapping & LiDAR team formed in 2008 when the staff of ETG, Inc. joined Westwood. The team brings more than twenty years’ experience delivering quality engineering products derived from aerial surveys. Westwood has a national reputation as a preferred consultant for land surveying on energy development projects.

SADI or LiDAR?
Utilities, municipalities, and consultants use Westwood's SADI (Scale-Accurate Digital Imaging) and LiDAR solutions for site and infrastructure studies, facility design, right-of-way records, environmental support, and operations and maintenance functions.

We provide a choice. Every project is unique and there are distinct advantages to both SADI and LiDAR technologies. We help clients select the right solution for their needs.

We can help you select the right technology for your project. 

SADI
Through our proprietary SADI process, we provide aerial photo-based, ortho-corrected imagery and feature-coded digital terrain model data that is geo-referenced, highly-accurate, and scalable.

What is the best use of SADI?
Generally, SADI is better-suited when a large corridor of data is needed to refine routing for new facilities or for rebuilding existing facilities in place. Our SADI process is capable of gathering swaths of data up to two miles wide in one flight pass. This provides transmission and distribution designers the ability to assess multiple corridor options using one dataset, study local access roads and structures, and easily adjust routes without the need for new flights.

LiDAR
We provide a geographic picture from high-density, geo-referenced points derived from the LiDAR sensor. LiDAR allows for fast acquisition and processing of high-accuracy data using the latest, state-of-the-art technologies.

What is the best use of LiDAR?
LiDAR data can be dense to allow for finite ground and above-ground detail, which is great for upgrading existing lines or identifying clearance issues. The density of the points provides an in-depth look at existing features which allows for infringement identification and vegetation management. LiDAR is generally preferred in land areas containing dense vegetation or when above-ground obstructions are needed. While LiDAR cannot penetrate leaves, the laser needs to “see” the ground once, as opposed to twice for photogrammetry (same ground from two different angles).

To pick up critical site elements, LiDAR requires a well-defined route. Per the specific requirements of a mapping project, aerial flights can also be defined to collect some above-ground detail such as tops of buildings, tops of poles, silos, billboards, etc. The combination of specific and broad data retrieved with aerial mapping may be precisely what is required on a project.

Overview
Westwood provides custom mapping solutions based on project-specific details. Our aerial photogrammetry-based mapping and LiDAR technologies enable our clients to address a broad spectrum of project and mapping challenges. We provide the data to support:

• Study corridor and access route alternatives.
• Corridor route selection and design
• Public presentations and permitting
• Thermal uprating studies
• Substation and tower infrastructure analysis
• Structural and load analysis
• Profile & catenary data in TLCAD & PLS-CADD
• As-built records
• Encroachment identification
• Vegetation management

Westwood has acquisition partners located throughout the United States.