Lidar Base Specification Revision Status

By NGP Standards and Specifications

The 3DEP Lidar Base Specification undergoes a continuous revision and update process. Revision requests are submitted through the 3DEP Working Group (WG) and the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center. Requests are reviewed by the Elevation Specifications Review Board (ESRB). If the ESRB approves a request, it is reviewed for final approval by the 3DEP WG.

Current version of the LBS

Revisions being considered for the Lidar Base Specification:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Clarify Handling of Near-vertical or Overhanging Surfaces	Under review by ESRB	December 02, 2024
Clarify Handling of Perennial Snowpack	Under review by ESRB	December 02, 2024
Update Required Lidar Mapping Report Information	Under review by ESRB	December 02, 2024
Standardize NoData Value in Maximum Surface Height Rasters	Under review by ESRB	December 02, 2024
Clarify Breakline GeoPackage Requirement	Under review by ESRB	December 02, 2024

Revisions included in Lidar Base Specification 2024 rev. A:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Adopt Updated Accuracy Standards	Published	January 30, 2024
Standardized Breakline Delivery	Published	January 30, 2024
Standardized System Identifier	Published	January 30, 2024
Clarify Intensity Requirement	Published	January 30, 2024

Revisions included in Lidar Base Specification 2023 rev. A:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Clarify Intensity Requirement	Tabled	August 28, 2023
Number of Decimal Places	Published	August 30, 2023
Withheld flag Proof of Performance Version Control	Published	August 30, 2023
Report on Withheld flag Proof of Performance	Published	August 30, 2023
Point Cloud Delivery in LAZ Format	Published	August 30, 2023
Update XML metadata template	Published	August 30, 2023
Remove requirement for extent polygons	Published	August 30, 2023
Update MSHR creation requirements	Published	August 30, 2023
Tile scheme generation and CRS	Published	August 30, 2023
Clarify swath polygon requirements	Published	August 30, 2023
Swath Separation Images resolution	Published	August 30, 2023

Revisions included in Lidar Base Specification 2022 rev. A:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Consistent units of reference	Published	April 6, 2022
No classification codes to identify overlap points	Published	April 6, 2022
Survey point delivery	Published	April 6, 2022
Drop delivery of waveform data	Published	April 6, 2022

Revisions included in Lidar Base Specification 2021 rev. A:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Restrict use of the LAS withheld bit flag	Published	June 17, 2021
Require LAS withheld bit flag proof of performance	Published	June 17, 2021
Maximum Surface Height Raster (MSHR) (now included with proof of performance revision)	Published	June 17, 2021
Lidar Mapping Report	Published	June 17, 2021
Checkpoints within DPA	Published	June 17, 2021
Checkpoint Photography Delivery Update	Published	June 17, 2021
Swath Separation Imagery Update	Published	June 17, 2021
Revise use of the Overlap Bit Flag	Published	June 17, 2021

Revisions included in Lidar Base Specification 2020 rev. A:

Short name of revision	Status	Last updated
Update LAS reference to R15	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Clarify unrestricted rights clause	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Require photographs of checkpoints	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Clarify class 0 and withheld flagging	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Revise swath polygon requirements	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Revise use of withheld flag	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Vertical accuracy assessment using ground points	Published	Aug. 28, 2020
Swath Separation Images	Published	Aug. 28, 2020

Explanation about the status:

Under review by ESRB:
- The revision has been through a preliminary review by the ESRB’s Technical Committee and is being reviewed by the board. Significant changes to the text of the revision should be expected throughout this stage.
Approved by ESRB:
- The revision has been reviewed and approved by the ESRB and is awaiting approval by the 3DEP Working Group. Changes to the text are still likely.
Provisional:
- Revision has been through the entire approval process and is approved for use.
- Revision will be incorporated in the next release of the Lidar Base Specification.
- The specification should be followed for current and future work, if at all possible.
Published:
- Revision has been published in the Lidar Base Specification.
Tabled:
- Revision is still under consideration but has been postponed to a later, undetermined date. This can be due to a variety of circumstances--see revision detail page for more information.