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Connecticut Statewide LiDAR 2016
Bare Earth DEM
FGDC, ESRI Metadata
DescriptionSpatialData StructureData QualityData SourceData DistributionMetadata
+ Resource Description
Citation
Information used to reference the data.
Title: Connecticut Statewide LiDAR 2016
Originators: State of Connecticut
Publisher: Capitol Region Council of Governments
Publication place: Connecticut
Publication date: 2016
Edition: 1.0
Data type: raster digital data
Data location: http://crcog.org
Description
A characterization of the data, including its intended use and limitations.
Abstract:
This metadata record describes the hydro-flattened bare earth digital elevation model (DEM) derived from the classified LiDAR data for the 2016 Connecticut LiDAR project covering approximately 5,240 square miles.
Purpose:
To acquire detailed surface elevation data for use in conservation planning, design, research, floodplain mapping, dam safety assessments, and hydrologic modeling. LAS and bare earth DEM data products are suitable for 1 foot contour generation. USGS LiDAR Base Specification 1.2, QL2. 19.6 cm VVA.
Supplemental information:
Project Projection, Datums and Units.  Projection - State Plane Connecticut.  Horizontal datum - North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83 (2011)).  Vertical datum - North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) using the latest geoid (Geoid12b) for converting ellipsoidal heights to orthometric heights.  Units - US feet
Language of dataset: en
Point Of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization that is knowledgeable about the data.
Person: Erik D. Snowden
Organization: Capitol Region Council of Governments
Position: IT/GIS Coordinator
Phone: 860.522.2217 x217
Fax: 860.724.1274
Email: esnowden@crcog.org
Hours of service: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Address type: mailing address
Address:
241 Main Street
City: Hartford
State or Province: CT
Postal code: 06106
Country: U.S.A.
Data Type
How the data are represented, formatted and maintained by the data producing organization.
Data type: raster digital data
Data format: Bare Earth DEM
Native dataset environment: Microsoft Windows 7; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.1850
Time Period of Data
Time period(s) for which the data corresponds to the currentness reference.
Beginning date: 20160311
Ending date: 20160416
Currentness reference:
ground condition
Status
The state of and maintenance information for the data.
Data status: Complete
Update frequency: Unknown
Key Words
Words or phrases that summarize certain aspects of the data.
Theme:
Keywords: LiDAR, mapping, point cloud, Ground points, Unclassified points, Water points, Overlap points, ALS70, Intensity return, LAS, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Digital Terrain Model (DTM), IMG, Grid, Bare Earth, First Return, Contour
Keyword thesaurus: CT
Place:
Keywords: Connecticut, CT Statewide, United States
Keyword thesaurus: CT
Temporal:
Keywords: 2016
Keyword thesaurus: none
Data Access Constraints
Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing or using the data after access is granted.
Access constraints:
This data may be used by the requested party for stated purposes and may be re-distributed.
Use constraints:
This data is for planning purposes only and should not be used for legal or cadastral purposes. Any conclusions drawn from analysis of this information are not the responsibility of Sanborn Map Company. Users should be aware that temporal changes may have occurred since this dataset was collected and some parts of this dataset may no longer represent actual surface conditions. Users should not use these data for critical applications without a full awareness of its limitations.

Contact:
State of Connecticut
Data Security Information
Handling restrictions imposed on the data because of national security, privacy or other concerns.
Security classifiction system: unknown
Security classification: Unclassified
Security handling: unknown
+ Spatial Reference Information
Horizontal Coordinate System
Reference system from which linear or angular quantities are measured and assigned to the position that a point occupies.
Projected coordinate system:
Name: NAD 1983 2011 State Plane Connecticut FIPS 0600
Map units: survey feet
Geographic coordinate system:
Name: GCS North American 1983
Coordinate System Details
Map projection
Map projection name: Lambert Conformal Conic
Standard parallel: 41.2
Standard parallel: 41.8666666666667
Longitude of central meridian: -72.75
Latitude of projection origin: 40.8333333333333
False easting: 999999.999996
False northing: 499999.999998
Planar Coordinate Information
Planar coordinate encoding method: coordinate pair
Coordinate representation:
Abscissa resolution: 2
Ordinate resolution: 2
Planar distance units: survey feet
Geodetic model
Horizontal datum name: North American Datum of 1983 (2011)
Ellipsoid name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222101004
Vertical Coordinate System
Reference system from which vertical distances (altitudes or depths) are measured.
Altitude system definition:
Altitude datum name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988(GEOID12b)
Altitude resolution: 0.1
Altitude distance units: feet
Altitude encoding method: Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
Spatial Domain
The geographic areal domain of the data that describes the western, eastern, northern, and southern geographic limits of data coverage.
Bounding Coordinates
In Unprojected coordinates (geographic)
GCS North American 1983
BoundaryCoordinate
West-73.745809 (longitude)
East-71.782632 (longitude)
North42.063615 (latitude)
South40.971166 (latitude)
+ Data Structure and Attribute Information
Overview
Summary of the information content of the data, including other references to complete descriptions of entity types, attributes, and attribute values for the data.
Dataset overview:
Bare Earth - DEM
Entity and attribute overview:
Bare Earth only

Classes:
2 - Bare-Earth Ground
Entity and attribute detailed citation:
USGS Base Specification 1.2, QL2 meeting 19.6 cm NVA
Direct spatial reference method: Raster
+ Data Quality and Accuracy Information
General
Information about the fidelity of relationships, data quality and accuracy tests, omissions, selection criteria, generalization, and definitions used to derive the data.
Logical consistency report:
LiDAR data is collected within the project area and processed. After the DEMs were created, the dataset was verified against control.  Well-distributed control was collected for the entire state of Connecticut.  Accuracy is reported for the state as a whole.
Completeness report:
LiDAR data is collected for the project area.  Post processing of the simultaneously acquired GPS/INS is performed and applied to the laser returns to output a point cloud in the specified project coordinate system and datums.  The point cloud data is then subjected to automated classification routines to assign all points in the point cloud to ground, water, overlap and unclassified point classes.  Anomalous laser returns that occur infrequently are removed entirely from the data set.  Once clean bare earth points are established, DEMs are created using bare earth points and hydro features. The DEM surface is then compared to the survey checkpoints. These accuracies must pass the NVA and VVA accuracy specifications.
Attribute Accuracy
Accuracy of the identification of data entities, features and assignment of attribute values.
Attribute accuracy report:
State of Connecticut:

The LiDAR surface was evaluated using a collection of 181 GPS surveyed checkpoints for the raw NVA report. The DEM was compared to these checkpoints yielding a better result than was required for the project. 

Raw NVA Control Accuracy Report (feet)

      --------- Report Disclaimer ---------

      This report does not guarantee accuracy. The report only reflects one statistical representation of the control points, LIDAR data and surface used. This report does not replace a thorough quality control process.

      --------- Report Summary ---------
Average dz       	0.004
Minimum dz       	-0.829
Maximum dz       	0.622
Average magnitude	0.170
Root mean square 	0.227
Std deviation    	0.228

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attribute accuracy is tested after the LiDAR processing stage.  After classification of the LiDAR data, DEMs are created using the bare earth points. The NVA report is generated from the comparison of the DEM and the ground control collected within the project area.

The DEM surface was evaluated using a collection of 181 GPS surveyed checkpoints for the NVA report. The DEM was compared to these checkpoints yielding much better result than was required for the project. 

NVA Control Accuracy Report (feet)

      --------- Report Disclaimer ---------

      This report does not guarantee accuracy. The report only reflects one statistical representation of the control points, LIDAR data and surface used. This report does not replace a thorough quality control process.

      --------- Report Summary ---------
Average dz       	0.004
Minimum dz       	-0.778
Maximum dz       	0.576
Average magnitude	0.158
Root mean square 	0.207
Std deviation    	0.207

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attribute accuracy is tested after the LiDAR processing stage.  After classification of the LiDAR data, DEMs are created using the bare earth points. The VVA report is generated from the comparison of the DEM and the ground control collected within the project area.  

The DEM was evaluated using a collection of 95 GPS surveyed checkpoints. The DEM was compared to these checkpoints yielding much better result than was required for the project. 

VVA Control Accuracy Report (feet)

      --------- Report Disclaimer ---------

      This report does not guarantee accuracy. The report only reflects one statistical representation of the control points, LIDAR data and surface used. This report does not replace a thorough quality control process.

      --------- Report Summary ---------
Average dz       	0.147
Minimum dz       	-0.771
Maximum dz       	0.625
Average magnitude	0.212
Root mean square 	0.261
Std deviation    	0.217

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Positional Accuracy
Accuracy of the positional aspects of the data.
Horizontal accuracy report:
Horizontal positional accuracy for the Connecticut LiDAR is dependent upon the quality of the GPS/INS solution, sensor calibration and ground conditions at the time of data capture.  The data set was produced to meet ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (2014) for a 1.0 meter RMSEx/RMSEy.
Horizontal positional accuracy assessment:
Accuracy values
1.0
Explanation:
For Connecticut, this value is computed by comparing ground control to a DEM derived from the classified LiDAR data and represents the RMSE of residuals on controls within the project area.
Vertical accuracy report:
For the DEM data derived from the classified point cloud, the NVA and VVA were computed. The vertical accuracy was tested with independent survey check points located in various terrain types within Connecticut. These check points were not used in the calibration or post processing of the lidar point cloud data. The survey check points were distributed throughout the state. Specifications for this project require that the NVA be 19.6 cm or better @ 95 percent confidence level.
Vertical positional accuracy assessment:
Accuracy values
0.070m RMSE, or 0.138m NVA @ 95 percent Confidence Level
Explanation:
The raw NVA was tested using 181 independent survey check points located in flat terrain types within the state of Connecticut The survey checkpoints were distributed throughout the block area. The 181 independent check points were surveyed using static GPS base stations collecting point location for 20 minute intervals. Elevations were measured for the x,y,z location of each check point. Elevations interpolated from the DEM surface were then compared to the elevation values of the surveyed control. This data set was tested to meet ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (2014) for a 10cm RMSEz Vertical Accuracy Class. Actual NVA accuracy was found to be RMSEz = 7cm, equating to +/- 13.8cm at 95% confidence level.
0.063m RMSE, or 0.125 m NVA @ 95 percent Confidence Level
Explanation:
The NVA was tested using 181 independent survey check points located in bare earth terrain types within the state of Connecticut. The 181 independent check points contained all NVA points and were surveyed using static GPS base stations collecting point location for 20 minute intervals. Elevations were measured for the x,y,z location of each check point. Elevations interpolated from the DEM surface were then compared to the elevation values of the surveyed control. This data set was tested to meet ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (2014) for a 10cm RMSEz Vertical Accuracy Class. Actual NVA accuracy was found to be RMSEz = 6.3cm, equating to +/- 12.5cm at 95% confidence level.
0.080m RMSE, or 0.170m VVA @ 95th Percentile
Explanation:
The VVA was tested using 95 independent survey check points located in various vegetation terrain types within the state of Connecticut. The 95 independent check points were surveyed using static GPS base stations collecting point location for 20 minute intervals. Elevations were measured for the x,y,z location of each check point. Elevations interpolated from the DEM surface were then compared to the elevation values of the surveyed control. This data set was tested to meet ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data (2014) for a 10cm RMSEz Vertical Accuracy Class. Actual NVA accuracy was found to be RMSEz = 6.3cm, equating to +/- 12.5cm at 95% confidence level. Actual VVA accuracy was found to be +/- 17cm at the 95th percentile.
+ Data Source and Process Information
Data Sources
Information about the source data used to construct or derive the data.
Data source information
LIDAR and GPS_RAW
Title: LiDAR Data
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publisher: None
Publication place: None
Publication date: Unpublished Material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Remote sensing image
Media: disc
Source contribution:
Aerial LiDAR and GPS/IMU data are recorded for the defined project area at an altitude, flight speed, scanner swath width and scanner pulse frequency to achieve the design goals of the project.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
CONT
Title: Ground control
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publisher: None
Publication place: None
Publication date: 2010
Edition: 1.0
Data type: tabular digital data
Media: disc
Source contribution:
Targeted ground control is used to create a digital control file and control report as well as QC check of LiDAR accuracy.  Predefined points (NGS when available) within the project area are targeted.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
Ground condition
GPS
Title: Post processed GPS/INS
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Tabular digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: disk
Source contribution:
Post processed GPS/INS is applied to the lidar point data to georeference each point in the project coordinate system
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
Ground condition
LAS
Title: Post processed lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: Disk
Source contribution:
The post processed lidar data has been projected and oriented in the specified coordinate system as an un-classified point cloud.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
LAS
Title: Classified lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: disk
Source contribution:
The classified lidar point cloud is used to derive various data products such as, but not limited to, bare earth gridded DEM, triangulated irregular networks (TIN), contours, digital surface models (DSM).  The output format is fully compliant LAS v1.4, Point Record Format 6
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
TLDEF
Title: Tile Definition
Originators: Capitol Region Council of Governments
Publication date: Unpublished Material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: raster digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: disk
Source contribution:
The tile definition defines discreet non-overlapping rectangular areas used as cut lines to break up the large classified lidar dataset into smaller, more manageable data tiles.  Each tile is 2500ft by 2500ft in dimension.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
Process Steps
Information about events, parameters, tolerances and techniques applied to construct or derive the data.
Process step information
Process Step 1
Process description:
At selected locations throughout the site, accurate GPS coordinates and elevations are surveyed and the points are marked with targets.
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
None
Data Source produced
CONT
Title: Ground control
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publisher: None
Publication place: None
Publication date: 2010
Edition: 1.0
Data type: tabular digital data
Media: disc
Source contribution:
Targeted ground control is used to create a digital control file and control report as well as QC check of LiDAR accuracy.  Predefined points (NGS when available) within the project area are targeted.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
Ground condition
Process Step 2
Process description:
New LiDAR data is captured for the project area using a Leica ALS70 w/MPiA LiDAR instrument an integrated IPAS20 GPS/INS system mounted within a Aero Commander twin engine airplane.
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
None
Data Source produced
LIDAR, GPS_RAW
Process Step 3
Process description:
The airborne GPS data is post-processed in Intertial Explorer software and LEICA CloudPro software to determine the LiDAR sensor's angle and orientation in the terrain (project) coordinate system and datums during the survey.
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
GPS_RAW
Data Source produced
GPS_SOL
Process Step 4
Process description:
The post processed GPS/INS solution is applied to the raw lidar data to orient and project the data points into the project area reference system as an unclassified point cloud.
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
LIDAR, GPS_SOL
Data Source produced
LAS
Title: Post processed lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: Disk
Source contribution:
The post processed lidar data has been projected and oriented in the specified coordinate system as an un-classified point cloud.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
LAS
Title: Classified lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: disk
Source contribution:
The classified lidar point cloud is used to derive various data products such as, but not limited to, bare earth gridded DEM, triangulated irregular networks (TIN), contours, digital surface models (DSM).  The output format is fully compliant LAS v1.4, Point Record Format 6
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
Process Step 5
Process description:
The georeferenced lidar data is then classified and edited in Terrasolid Terrascan software.  Data is classified to produce:  Class 1:  unclassified,  Class 2:  ground,  Class 7:  low point,  Class 9: water,  Class 10: ignored ground, Class 17: bridge deck,  Class 18: high noise. 
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
CONT, GPS_SOL, LIDAR
Data Source produced
LAS
Title: Post processed lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: Disk
Source contribution:
The post processed lidar data has been projected and oriented in the specified coordinate system as an un-classified point cloud.
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
LAS
Title: Classified lidar
Originators: Sanborn Map Company Inc.
Publication date: Unpublished material
Edition: 1.0
Data type: Point digital data
Map scale denominator: 1200
Media: disk
Source contribution:
The classified lidar point cloud is used to derive various data products such as, but not limited to, bare earth gridded DEM, triangulated irregular networks (TIN), contours, digital surface models (DSM).  The output format is fully compliant LAS v1.4, Point Record Format 6
Date: 2016
Currentness reference:
ground condition
Process Step 6
Process description:
The bare earth points of the processed lidar data are then output to a DEM tile format. The DEM is compared to the ground control and elevation differences between the surface and surveyed elevation are recorded in tabular form.  Vertical accuracy statistics are then developed to produce vertical RMSE and overall accuracy estimates and reports.
Process date: 2016
Data Source used
CONT, LIDAR
Data Source produced
None
+ Data Distribution Information
General
Description of the data known by the party from whom the data may be obtained, liability of party distributing data, and technical capabilities required to use the data.
Resource description:
Connecticut 2016 LiDAR project
Distribution liability:
The Capitol Region Council of Governments digital data have been tested and their documentation carefully reviewed.  However, the Capitol Region Council of Governments and its representatives make no warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, with respect to the digital data and their documentation, their quality, performance, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.  The digital data are distributed on "as is" basis, and the user assumes all risk to their quality, the results obtained from their use, and the performance of the data.  In no event will the Capitol Region Council of Governments or its representatives be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages resulting from and defect in the State of Connecticut or in their documentation.  This disclaimer of warranty is exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied.  No agent or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.
Distribution Point of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization distributing the data.
Person: Erik D. Snowden
Organization: Capitol Region Council of Governments
Position: IT/GIS Coordinator
Phone: 860.522.2217 x217
Fax: 860.724.1274
Email: esnowden@crcog.org
Hours of service: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Address type: mailing address
Address:
241 Main Street
City: Hartford
State or Province: CT
Postal code: 06106
Country: U.S.A.
Standard Order Process
Common ways in which data may be obtained.
Digital form:
Format name: DEM
Format version number: 1.4
Size of the data: 19800
Transfer size: 6.4
Digital transfer option:
Online option:
Computer information:
Network address:
Network resource name: http://crcog.org
Access instructions: unknown
Offline option:
Offline media: 5 - 1/2 inch hard drive
Recording format: LAS
Fees: unknown
Ordering instructions:
Capitol Region Council of Governments
Turnaround: unknown
Available Time Period
Time when data is available from the distributer.
Date: 2016
+ Metadata Reference
Metadata Date
Dates associated with creating, updating and reviewing the metadata.
Last updated: 2016
Metadata Point of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization responsible for the metadata information.
Person: Shawn Benham
Organization: Sanborn Map Co
Position: Project Manager
Phone: 719.502.1296
Email: sbenham@sanborn.com
Hours of service: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Address type: mailing address
Address:
1935 Jamboree Dr
City: Colorado Springs
State or Province: CO
Postal code: 80920
Country: U.S.A.
Metadata Standards
Description of the metadata standard used to document the data and reference to any additional extended profiles to the standard used by the metadata producer.
Standard name: FGDC CSDGM
Standard version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
FGDC Plus Metadata Stylesheet
Stylesheet: FGDC Plus Stylesheet
File name: FGDC Plus.xsl
Version: 2.3
Description: This metadata is displayed using the FGDC Plus Stylesheet, which is an XSL template that can be used with ArcGIS software to display metadata. It displays metadata elements defined in the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) - aka FGDC Standard, the ESRI Profile of CSDGM, the Biological Data Profile of CSDGM, and the Shoreline Data Profile of CSDGM. CSDGM is the US Federal Metadata standard. The Federal Geographic Data Committee originally adopted the CSDGM in 1994 and revised it in 1998. According to Executive Order 12096 all Federal agencies are ordered to use this standard to document geospatial data created as of January, 1995. The standard is often referred to as the FGDC Metadata Standard and has been implemented beyond the federal level with State and local governments adopting the metadata standard as well. The Biological Data Profile broadens the application of the CSDGM so that it is more easily applied to biological data that are not explicitly geographic (laboratory results, field notes, specimen collections, research reports) but can be associated with a geographic location. Includes taxonomical vocabulary. The Shoreline Data Profile addresses variability in the definition and mapping of shorelines by providing a standardized set of terms and data elements required to support metadata for shoreline and coastal data sets. The FGDC Plus Stylesheet includes the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set. It supports W3C DOM compatible browsers such as IE7, IE6, Netscape 7, and Mozilla Firefox. It is in the public domain and may be freely used, modified, and redistributed. It is provided "AS-IS" without warranty or technical support.
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