In June 2021, AB Surveying and Development (ABSD) made a significant leap in surveying technology by introducing LiDAR to the Philippines. In just four short years, we have demonstrated the immense value of RIEGL’s full-waveform LiDAR technology over traditional surveying methods, particularly in the lush, densely vegetated landscapes of the Philippines.
The Vision and the Journey
Tony Botor, founder and professional engineer/surveyor at ABSD, first became intrigued by LiDAR technology in 2016. His initial experience with a lower-end LiDAR scanner, designed for architectural documentation, sparked a vision for applying LiDAR to larger-scale projects. Despite its potential, LiDAR was relatively unfamiliar in the Philippines, with only a few experts at the University of the Philippines recognizing its value.
Determined to find a tool that could offer precise data over extensive geographical areas and penetrate thick vegetation, Mr. Botor embarked on a global search. His research led him to RIEGL's advanced scanning systems. RIEGL’s full-waveform LiDAR scanners promised to revolutionize surveying by capturing long-range 3D point clouds through heavy vegetation to the bare earth. The opportunity to acquire such technology was a game-changer for ABSD.
The Breakthrough: Acquiring RIEGL Technology
In collaboration with Mr. CS Lim of GPS Lands in Malaysia, ABSD obtained the RIEGL VUX-1LR, an airborne LiDAR scanner in its final production stages. This marked a significant step forward, allowing us to deliver high-precision data with unprecedented speed. The VUX-1LR’s performance exceeded expectations, but the next challenge was demonstrating its value to our clients.
Overcoming Client Skepticism
Traditional surveying methods had long been the norm in the Philippines, with clients accustomed to predictable results and costs. Transitioning to LiDAR represented a significant shift, and convincing clients to embrace this new technology required careful strategy.
Jian Botor took on the challenge of proving the technology’s worth. To address client hesitations, ABSD offered to perform LiDAR surveys for free on select projects, demonstrating the technology's benefits without financial risk to clients. This approach allowed clients to experience the superior data quality firsthand and see the advantages of LiDAR over conventional methods.
Successful Demonstrations
1. Land Development Project for Makati Development Corporation (MDC)
ABSD’s first major demonstration involved scanning a project site for MDC, a prominent land developer. By comparing the LiDAR map with a conventional survey, MDC discovered that LiDAR provided more accurate and detailed information, including previously undetected streams. This successful demonstration led MDC to integrate LiDAR into their future projects.
2. Aerial LiDAR Mapping of Baguio City
ABSD’s most ambitious project involved mapping the entire 5,750-hectare city of Baguio, a highly urbanized mountainous area. The city's need for detailed base maps for flood mapping, urban planning, and disaster risk mitigation made it an ideal candidate for LiDAR. ABSD’s proposal included joint validation with traditional survey methods, ensuring accuracy and building trust. The project was completed in just two days of fieldwork and three weeks of processing, a feat that would have been impossible with conventional methods.
The Future of LiDAR in the Philippines
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