From historic preservation to mission-critical infrastructure, 3D mapping technologies are expanding what’s possible in even the most challenging environments. This session showcases two extraordinary projects that demonstrate how lidar, UAVs, and 3D modeling can deliver high-value insights while navigating complex logistical, technical, and regulatory conditions.
Attendees will gain a firsthand look at the workflows, collaboration, and innovation required to capture accurate data in unique, high-stakes settings where precision and planning make all the difference.
The following presentations will be shared in this session:
Lidar & Lawmen: Mapping the Tombstone County Courthouse in 3D
Presented by William Wing, Infinity Land Surveying
This presentation highlights a two-year volunteer project led by the Arizona Professional Land Surveyors (APLS) and the Arizona Young Surveyors Network, focused on 3D mapping the historic Tombstone Courthouse. In the first year, volunteers conducted a boundary survey, aerial mapping, and exterior 3D laser scanning of the courthouse, all while providing hands-on education in fundamental surveying techniques, UAV workflows, and scanning technologies. Due to the success of the initial effort, the courthouse (now a museum managed by the National Park Service) invited the team back the following year to complete a full interior scan.
The building presented unique challenges, including narrow hallways, small rooms, secure vaults, and a historic spiral staircase. Despite the complexity, the team captured detailed scan data and produced point cloud imagery and 3D models, which the courthouse now uses for ongoing preservation planning and future improvement efforts. This session will walk attendees through the technical process, equipment used, educational approach, and the collaborative effort it took to document one of Arizona’s most iconic historic landmarks.
The First Bridge: Using Modern Slam Lidar and GNSS Visual Positioning to Document Minneapolis’ Historic Gateway from the 1800s
Presented by Dustin Harr, Desert Creative Group
In the Mid 1800s, the Mississippi river was a barrier until “First Bridge” was constructed—the first permanent bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls. This wasn’t just a bridge; it was a turning point. It connected two growing communities, enabled commerce, and helped transform Minneapolis into an industrial and economic center of the region. That original bridge no longer exists today, but its location still carries a lot of historical weight. And that raises an interesting question: how do we document places like this—where the physical structure is gone, but the historical significance remains?
This project explored that question by using modern geospatial technologies—specifically SLAM lidar scanning combined with GNSS visual positioning from Tersus—to digitally document the site of Minneapolis’ first bridge. The presentation will focus on how cutting-edge mapping tools can help preserve and understand infrastructure that shaped the city, even when the original structure is long gone.
Informing Critical Infrastructure Decisions with Groundbreaking Access at Pearl Harbor
Presented by Chad Maxwell, HDR
To address facility repair and expansion needs – first at a Naval facility, and later for an Air Force WWTP site – HDR deployed a hybrid (drone + lidar) data collection approach to provide survey reports, orthoimagery, point cloud data, DTM data, planimetric features, BIM modeling, and topographic survey. These deliverables will inform JBPHH’s asset management decisions. Nearly six months of approvals were required to fly drones at this security-sensitive location – resulting in the first-ever commercial drone operations at JBPHH. To complete the requested data collection goals, we utilized two NDAA-compliant drones (WingtraOne GenII and Skydio X10D) as well as lidar scanning technology.
Due to proximity to the base’s runways, we worked in close coordination with the DoD and FAA and other key stakeholders to schedule the collection flights. During flights we stayed in close coordination with ATC to deconflict with incoming air traffic, including a supertanker that needed the main runway in the middle of the scheduled mission. All data collection objectives were achieved within a constrained timeline thanks to advanced planning and constant on-site communication.
This presentation will demonstrate strategies to obtain proper authorizations at security-sensitive sites, capture multimodal data under a compressed timeline, and process and transmit final deliverables efficiently.
