Civil 3D LiDAR Scanning

Scanning for civil design combines terrestrial LiDAR, drone LiDAR/photogrammetry, mobile/SLAM scanning, and GNSS/total stations to create a precise 3D point cloud of existing conditions. From that, we build Existing Ground (EG) surfaces, planimetric linework, and models that drive grading, drainage, roadway, and utility design.

Why use scanning?

Speed & coverage: Capture large/complex sites in hours instead of days.
Completeness: Dense data sets reveal curbs, swales, walls, and subtle grade breaks traditional shots might miss.
Accuracy: Design-grade outputs with typical vertical accuracy of ~1–3 cm (terrestrial) and ~3–6 cm (UAV LiDAR) when controlled and QA/QC’d.
Safety: Measure traffic corridors, steep slopes, and shorelines with less exposure.
Fewer surprises: Better existing conditions mean fewer redesigns and change orders.

What we deliver

Point clouds: LAS/LAZ, E57, RCP/RCS
Surfaces: TIN/DEM with requested contour intervals
Breaklines & feature lines: tops/toes of slope, edges of pavement, curb/gutter, crowns
Planimetrics: buildings, walls, fences, visible utilities, drainage features
As-builts & volumes: conformance checks, stockpile quantities, cut/fill reports
CAD/PDF packages: DWG/DGN aligned to your coordinates and datums

Where it shines

Roadway/corridor design (crowns, cross-slopes, ADA tie-ins)
Grading & drainage (pads, swales, inlets, low/high points)
Site and utility as-builts (verify against plans before paving/closeout)
Earthwork & mining (progress and pay volumes)
Vegetated terrain (UAV LiDAR for ground under canopy)

Our workflow (Hawaii Surveying)

Control & planning: GNSS control/benchmarks (Hawai‘i State Plane / project datums).
Acquisition: Terrestrial LiDAR, drone LiDAR/photogrammetry, and mobile/SLAM as needed.
Registration & QA/QC: Align scans, check residuals, validate with independent shots.
Classification & extraction: Ground/non-ground, curb lines, edges, breaklines.
Civil 3D build-out: EG surfaces, contours, linework, and deliverables ready for design.

Limitations & best practices

Line-of-sight matters for terrestrial scans—plan positions to minimize shadows.
Water/reflective surfaces return poorly—supplement with other methods.
Ground control is essential for absolute accuracy, especially with UAV LiDAR.
Intelligent breaklines keep surfaces crisp—don’t rely on raw points alone.

Hawaii Surveying serves Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi, delivering fast, accurate scanning for civil design using LiDAR (terrestrial + UAV), GNSS/RTK, and robotic total stations.

Proud members of Operating Engineers Local 3 (OE3).

Why use lidar for civil design?

Because reality capture (LiDAR + imaging) gives you a complete, accurate picture of existing conditions—faster and safer—so designers and contractors make better decisions with fewer surprises.

Key benefits

Speed: Capture large/complex sites in hours, not days.
Completeness: Millions of points reveal curbs, swales, walls, and subtle grade breaks traditional shots can miss.
Accuracy: Design-grade EG surfaces when paired with proper control and QA/QC.
Safety: Reduce exposure near traffic, slopes, shorelines, and confined areas.
Coordination: A shared 3D baseline reduces clashes and rework across trades.
Documentation: Clear, defensible existing conditions and as-builts for permits and closeout.

Common uses

Topographic/design surveys: Build EG surfaces, contours, and breaklines for grading/drainage.
Roadway & corridor design: Crowns, cross-slopes, curb/gutter, tie-ins, ADA ramps.
Utility & site as-builts: Verify locations/elevations before paving and turnover.
Earthwork/volumes: Stockpile quantities, cut/fill, and progress tracking.
Structures: Bridge/overhead clearances, retaining walls, facades, and deformation monitoring.
Vegetated terrain: UAV LiDAR for ground modeling beneath canopy.
Coastal projects: Integrate shoreline/topo with hydrographic data for coastal design.

What you receive

Point clouds (LAS/LAZ, E57, RCP/RCS) tied to your project coordinates
Civil-ready surfaces (TIN), contours, and breaklines
Planimetric linework and as-built/volume reports (DWG/PDF)

Hawaii Surveying uses terrestrial LiDAR, drone LiDAR/photogrammetry, GNSS/RTK, and robotic total stations to deliver fast, accurate civil-design inputs across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Lānaʻi, and Molokaʻi.

Proud Operating Engineers Local 3 (OE3) member crews.

Ready to get started?

We're eager to learn about your project and get to work providing a fast, precise, and high-quality solution based on your needs.