PAMAP Program LAS Files (LiDAR Data of Pennsylvania)

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Distributor 1
• Distribution_Information
• Distributor 2
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:PAMAP Program, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

Publication_Date:2006 - 2008

Title:

PAMAP Program LAS Files (LiDAR Data of Pennsylvania)

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place:Middletown, PA

Publisher:PAMAP Program, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

Online_Linkage: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/pamap/documents/index.htm

Online_Linkage: ftp://pamap.pasda.psu.edu/pamap_lidar/cycle1

Description:

Abstract:

This dataset consists of classified LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) elevation points produced by the PAMAP Program. Additional information is available at the PAMAP website: www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/pamap. PAMAP data are organized into blocks, which do not have gaps or overlaps, that represent 10,000 feet by 10,000 feet on the ground. The coordinate system for blocks in the northern half of the state is Pennsylvania State Plane North (datum:NAD83, units: feet); blocks in the southern half of the state are in Pennsylvania State Plane South. A block name is formed by concatenating the first four digits of the State Plane northing and easting defining the block's northwest corner, the State identifier "PA", and the State Plane zone designator "N" or "S" (e.g. 45001210PAS).

Purpose:

General-purpose aerial topographic survey of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. LiDAR data are useful for a variety of scientific and resource management applications such as hydrologic modeling, resource monitoring, mapping, global change research, and landscape visualization. These data were used in conjunction with color aerial photography to create color digital orthophotos, raster digital elevation models, and topographic contours (2 ft interval).

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date:2006

Ending_Date:2008

Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Status:

Progress:Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency:Unknown

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -78.938

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -77.142

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.643

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.240

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:ISO 19115 Topic Categories

Theme_Keyword:DEM

Theme_Keyword:LiDAR

Theme_Keyword:LAS

Theme_Keyword:imageryBaseMapsEarthCo

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus:ISO 19115 Topic Category

Theme_Keyword:elevation

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus:None

Place_Keyword:Pennsylvania

Place_Keyword:Cameron County

Place_Keyword:Centre County

Place_Keyword:Clearfield County

Place_Keyword:Elk County

Place_Keyword:Blair County

Place_Keyword:Cambria County

Place_Keyword:Jefferson County

Place_Keyword:Indiana County

Access_Constraints:None

Use_Constraints:

The Originator, Publisher and Distributor exclude any and all implied warranties and make no warranty or representation with respect to the data files or accompanying documentation, including quality, performance, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. These data files and documentation are provided 'as is' and the User assumes the entire risk as to their quality and performance.  The Originator and Publisher, as indicated in the metadata, should be clearly cited in any product derived from this data. Any modifications to this data must be described in any digital or hardcopy product derived from this data.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Organization:PAMAP Program, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

Contact_Position:Director

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

PAMAP Program

Address:

PA DCNR Topographic and Geologic Survey

Address:

3240 Schoolhouse Road

City:Middletown

State_or_Province:PA

Postal_Code:17057

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:(717) 702-2053

Hours_of_Service:0800-1630

Data_Set_Credit:

PAMAP Program, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The LiDAR flying height, field of view, laser repetition rate, aircraft speed, and the maximum baseline distances from the aerial platform to the ground based GPS stations have been fine tuned to ensure an RMSEz of the processed data at the 18.5 cm level for the bare earth surface as required by the FEMA guidelines.

See the PAMAP Technical Proposal dated January 11, 2006 for further QA/QC procedures.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

All files are inspected by the Production Manager to ensure that they conform to the specified file naming conventions, all files load in their correct geographic position, all files conform to the project specifications for file standard and content.

Completeness_Report:

All files are visually inspected for completeness to ensure that no gaps or misplacement exists in the data.  The files have been checked to ensure that the boundary and the content has been covered in its entirety.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

The horizontal accuracy standard follows the NSSDA-1998 standard.  The maximum permissible RMSE for 95% of the horizontal check points for the mapping product is 5 feet or better.

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

Independent accuracy testing was performed by Dewberry using 100 high accuracy quality control checkpoints distributed on near level open bare terrain, high grass, brush, forest and urban terrain. Dewberry uses testing procedures consistent with those specified by both the NSSDA/FEMA and NDEP/ASPRS methods.

NSSDA/FEMA: (1) Compared to criteria RMSEz less than or equal to 0.61 ft in Open Terrain, tested 0.34 ft; (2) Compared to criteria Accuracyz less than or equal to 1.19 ft at 95% confidence level, tested 0.67 ft.

NDEP/ASPRS: (1) Compared to criteria Fundamental Vertical Accuracy less than or equal to 1.19 ft at 95% confidence level, tested 0.67 ft; (2) Compared to criteria Consolidated Vertical Accuracy less than or equal to 2.38 ft at 95% confidence level, tested 0.90 ft.

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:RETTEW Associates, Inc.

Publication_Date:20060424

Title:

GPS Photo Control Survey

Type_of_Source_Media:CD-ROM

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date:20060424

Source_Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Source_Citation_Abbreviation:

GPS Ground Control

Source_Contribution:

GPS control points are used to support the acquisition of the imagery and LiDAR data.  A number of "blind-point" panels were established and used during the QA/QC check of the orthophotos, LiDAR data and contour information.  All horizontal and vertical control was prepared under the supervision of licensed Professional Land Surveyors.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:Woolpert

Originator:LandAir

Publication_Date:20060430

Title:

LiDAR

Type_of_Source_Media:disc

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date:20060426

Ending_Date:20060430

Source_Currentness_Reference:

ground condition

Source_Citation_Abbreviation:

Raw LiDAR

Source_Contribution:

LiDAR elevation data used in the creation of the terrain surface.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Horizontal and Vertical control points were acquired utilizing GPS collection techniques.  All control was prepared under the supervision of licensed Professional Land Surveyors.

Process_Date:20060424

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation:

GPS Ground Control

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

LiDAR collection and processing generally adhered to FEMA Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, Appendix A: Guidance for Aerial Mapping & Surveying, Section A.8: Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Surveys.  Raw LiDAR data was collected using a sensor equipped with an airborne GPS/IMU system.  Flight lines with a 30% sidelap were flown with a nominal average LiDAR point spacing of 1.4 meters using a 43 degree field of view (full angle) at a laser pulse rate of 40.6 kHz.  In some areas, laser pulse rate/power were modified in order to achieve specifield point spacing.  As a result, these areas do not have more than 2 returns per pulse; see map at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/pamap/lidar_faq.aspx.  The raw LiDAR data is processed and filtered to remove LiDAR points on elevated features such as vegetation, buildings, cars, etc. in order to create a bare earth surface meeting the accuracies required for orthophoto and contour generation.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:

Raw LiDAR

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation:

GPS Ground Control

Process_Date:20070308

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation:

Processed LiDAR

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person:Sandra Elfreth-Howery

Contact_Organization:BAE Systems

Contact_Position:Project Manager

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

124 Gaither Drive

Address:

Suite 100

City:Mt. Laurel

State_or_Province:NJ

Postal_Code:08054

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:856-793-4287

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:sandra.elfreth-howery@baesystems.com

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method:Point

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Map_Projection:

Map_Projection_Name:Lambert Conformal Conic

Lambert_Conformal_Conic:

Lambert Conformal Conic

Standard_Parallel:40.883333

Standard_Parallel:41.950000

Longitude_of_Central_Meridian:-77.750000

Latitude_of_Projection_Origin:40.166667

False_Easting:1968500.000000

False_Northing:0.000000

Planar_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method:coordinate pair

Planar_Distance_Units:survey feet

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name:North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name:Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis:6378137.000000

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio:298.257222

Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Altitude_System_Definition:

Altitude_Datum_Name:North American Vertical Datum of 1988

Altitude_Distance_Units:feet

Altitude_Encoding_Method:Implicit coordinate

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

Each LAS file contains the following fields for each point:  Class; Northing; Easting; Elevation; Intensity; Flight Line #; Echo Number; Echo Type.

The class field is defined as:  

Class 1 (Default) - These are the points that are a mixture of the remaining points after the ground classification.  These would contain bridges, overpasses, buildings, cars, parts of vegetation, etc.

Class 2 (Ground) - These are points on the bare earth surface.  They are from the automated processing, as well as the manual surface review.

Class 8 (Model Key) - These are the educated, thinned points to represent the final bare earth surface.  This is from our automated processing.  These are the points that we have used to generate the final contours.

Class 9 (Water) - These are points inside of hydrographic features, as collected by photogrammetric methods.  These are from automated processing, as well as the manual surface review.

Class 12 (Non-Ground) - These are points that are identified as first of many return or intermediate of many returns from the LIDAR pulse.  These are points that are most likely vegetation returns or points identified to be not on the ground surface.

Class 15 (Road Edges) - These are the points that fall within +/- 1.5' of road break lines.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

Where applicable, all data conforms to the PAMAP Technical Proposal dated January 11, 2006.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Organization:PAMAP Program, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

Contact_Position:Director

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

PAMAP Program

Address:

PA DCNR Topographic and Geologic Survey

Address:

3240 Schoolhouse Road

City:Middletown

State_or_Province:PA

Postal_Code:17057

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:(717) 702-2053

Resource_Description:The PAMAP Program distributes data directly to program partners. Public access to the data are available from both the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA), and Penn State Center for Geographic Information Services listed below.

Distribution_Liability:

The USER shall indemnify, save harmless, and, if requested, defend those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data, their officers, agents, and employees from and against any suits, claims, or actions for injury, death, or property damage arising out of the use of or any defect in the FILES or any accompanying documentation. Those parties involved with the development and distribution excluded any and all implied warranties, including warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and makes no warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the FILES or accompanying documentation, including its quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. The FILES and documentation are provided "as is" and the USER assumes the entire risk as to its quality and performance. Those parties involved with the development and distribution of this data will not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the FILES or any accompanying documentation.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA)

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment

Address:

115 Land and Water Building

City:University Park

State_or_Province:PA

Postal_Code:16802

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:814-863-0104

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:pasda@psu.edu

Resource_Description:PASDA (www.pasda.psu.edu) provides public access to PAMAP orthoimagery, DEMs, contours, and lidar processing/contour enhancement lines as downloadable files and web services.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:Center for Geographic Information Services

Contact_Position:Director

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

Penn State Institute of State and Regional Affairs

Address:

Penn State Harrisburg

Address:

777 West Harrisburg Pike

City:Middletown

State_or_Province:PA

Postal_Code:17057

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:(717) 948-6428

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone:(717) 948-6306

Resource_Description:The Pennsylvania State Data Center and the Center for GIS at Penn State Harrisburg handle bulk requests for PAMAP data, including LAS-format point cloud files, on a fee basis. For additional information, please visit http://cgis.hbg.psu.edu/pdf/PAMAP_Bulk_Order.pdf.

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date:20081121

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:PAMAP Program, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey

Contact_Position:Director

Contact_Address:

Address_Type:mailing and physical address

Address:

PAMAP Program

Address:

PA DCNR Topographic and Geologic Survey

Address:

3240 Schoolhouse Road

City:Middletown

State_or_Province:PA

Postal_Code:17057

Country:USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone:(717) 702-2053

Metadata_Standard_Name:FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version:FGDC-STD-001-1998