EAASI company: Woolpert Asia-Pacific
Project Overview
Coastal and river environments are increasingly vulnerable to climate change-induced challenges such as erosion, sediment transport, and rising sea levels. To address these threats, Woolpert has been leveraging crewed aerial surveying technologies, including topo-bathymetric LiDAR to provide accurate and actionable data for environmental management and disaster resilience.
Through various global projects, Woolpert Asia-Pacific has collected high-resolution coastal and riverine datasets to support nautical charting, infrastructure planning, and post-storm analysis. These initiatives, conducted in partnership with national and international agencies, highlight the essential role of airborne data collection in safeguarding vulnerable coastlines and waterways.
Technical Approach
Bathymetric LiDAR, a specialized airborne technology, emits laser pulses capable of penetrating water to measure underwater topography. Combined with aerial photogrammetry, it enables highly detailed mapping of both terrestrial and submerged environments, offering a seamless representation of dynamic coastal and riverine landscapes.
For its projects in Saint Lucia and Tonga, Woolpert deployed advanced topo-bathy LiDAR sensors to capture precise elevation data, both on land and underwater. These projects, funded by the World Bank under disaster risk reduction programs, aim to strengthen resilience to natural hazards and support sustainable management of coastal resources.
Similarly, in the U.S., Woolpert conducts high-density LiDAR surveys of Florida’s coastline at the beginning of the hurricane season. This proactive approach ensures that, in the event of a hurricane or strong storm, post-event LiDAR data can be captured and compared to pre-storm datasets. The resulting elevation models help authorities identify erosion patterns and guide mitigation efforts.
Image courtesy: Woolpert
Results and Benefits
Woolpert’s topo-bathy LiDAR projects have provided critical datasets for a wide range of applications, including:
Disaster Resilience and Recovery – Supporting post-storm assessments and rapid response efforts, such as the surveys conducted in Alaska after Typhoon Merbok.
Coastal Erosion Monitoring – Enabling comparative analyses of shoreline changes to inform policy and mitigation strategies.
Nautical Charting and Navigation Safety – Assisting hydrographic offices and marine authorities in updating navigation charts.
Infrastructure Planning – Providing baseline data for the design and rehabilitation of coastal and riverine structures.
By integrating crewed airborne surveys with cutting-edge data processing techniques, Woolpert continues to deliver accurate and reliable geospatial intelligence to improve climate resilience and environmental management. These projects demonstrate how airborne LiDAR and photogrammetry remain unmatched in capturing the comprehensive, high-resolution datasets needed for sustainable coastal and river monitoring.
This case study appeared for the first time in the article How can aerial surveying help to monitor climate change? published by GIM International.
Learn more about how other EAASI members utilize crewed aerial technology to address global challenges in our Use Cases series, a dedicated section showcasing real-world applications, and achievements by EAASI’s diverse members.
This collection of use cases highlights the unique advantages and capabilities of crewed aerial surveying in various fields, from environmental monitoring to infrastructure planning.
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