LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology, i.e. the technology is not in direct contact with what is being measured. From satellite, aeroplane or helicopter, a LiDAR system sends a light pulse to the ground. This pulse hits the ground and returns back to a sensor on the system. The time is recorded to measure how long it takes for this light to return. Knowing this time measurement scientists are able to create topography maps.

LiDAR data are collected as points (X,Y,Z (x & y coordinates) and z (height)). The data is then converted into gridded (GeoTIFF) data to create a Digital Terrain Model and Digital Surface Model of the earth.

An ordnance datum (OD) is a vertical datum used as the basis for deriving heights on maps. This data is referenced to the Malin Head Vertical Datum which is the mean sea level of the tide gauge at Malin Head, County Donegal. It was adopted as the national datum in 1970 from readings taken between 1960 and 1969 and all heights on national grid maps are measured above this datum.

This LiDAR data was collected between 2015 and 2021.

Digital Terrain Models (DTM) are bare earth models (no trees or buildings) of the Earth’s surface.

Digital Surface Models (DSM) are earth models in its current state. For example, a DSM includes elevations from buildings, tree canopy, electrical power lines and other features.

This data was collected by the Geological Survey Ireland, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Discovery Programme, the Heritage Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, New York University, the Office of Public Works and Westmeath County Council. All data formats are provided as GeoTIFF rasters but are at different resolutions. Data resolution varies depending on survey requirements. Resolutions for each organisation are as follows:

GSI – 1m

DCHG/DP/HC - 0.13m, 0.14m, 1m

NY – 1m

TII – 2m

OPW – 2m

WMCC - 0.25m

Both a DTM and DSM are raster data. Raster data is another name for gridded data. Raster data stores information in pixels (grid cells). Each raster grid makes up a matrix of cells (or pixels) organised into rows and columns. The grid cell size varies depending on the organisation that collected it. GSI data has a grid cell size of 1 meter by 1 meter. This means that each cell (pixel) represents an area of 1 meter squared.