Integrated Lidar and Photogrammetry for Highway Projects
SimActive Inc., a leader in photogrammetry software, announces the use of Correlator3D by Settimio Consulting Services for the engineering design of a highway ramp expansion. By merging lidar data with high-resolution imagery, the project delivers highly accurate terrain models that are essential for critical decision-making in civil infrastructure.
The project leverages imagery from a Leica TerrainMapper-2 sensor, with Correlator3D orchestrating the fusion of photogrammetry and lidar to produce robust, ground-truth rich models. This integrated workflow helps engineers validate alignments, calculate earthwork, and assess drainage and safe ramp geometry with greater confidence than traditional methods.
The Correlator3D Advantage
One of the standout capabilities highlighted by Settimio Consulting is the software’s ability to “create the reference ortho from lidar.” By including lidar-derived points in aerial triangulation and tying that surface directly into the solution, Correlator3D produces more robust, reliable outputs. This approach reduces uncertainties in terrain interpretation and supports precise design criteria for ramp widening, lane transitions, and interchange connections.
Correlator3D’s tools enable seamless data fusion, automated check runs, and scalable processing for large-scale highway projects. The result is a consistent, auditable workflow that aligns with the stringent standards used by engineering teams andDOTs (Departments of Transportation) in North America and beyond.
Real-World Impact and Client Perspective
For Settimio Consulting Services, the integrated lidar-photogrammetry workflow translates to tangible benefits on the ground. The ability to derive a high-fidelity terrain model from a single, coherent data source accelerates design iterations and reduces the risk of rework during construction. In highway ramp expansions, where even minor misalignments can affect safety and traffic flow, precise elevation data and surface models are critical for evaluating sight distance, ramp curves, and impact on existing roadways.
Kyler Whittenberger, Photogrammetry Manager at Settimio Consulting Services, emphasized the practical advantage: “One of my favorite abilities of Correlator3D is to create the reference ortho from lidar. Including those points in the aerial triangulation and tying that surface into the solution makes everything more robust.” This sentiment underscores how lidar-informed ortho-generation can strengthen the backbone of a highway design project.
About the Partners
SimActive is a trusted developer of photogrammetry software used by engineers and surveyors around the world to convert images and point clouds into accurate 3D models. Settimio Consulting Services (SCS) is a woman-owned, DBE-certified firm that specializes in lidar, photogrammetry, GIS, land surveying, and remote sensing. Since 2009, SCS has delivered comprehensive mapping and remote sensing services to federal, state, and DOT projects, blending fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and mobile lidar with imagery technology for fast, reliable results.
For more information, visit www.scs-mapping.com.
