Long-Range 3D Laser Scanning Advances Surveying in the United Kingdom

A significant milestone in UK geospatial surveying has been reached with the deployment of the country’s first long-range terrestrial laser scanning system. Mining Surveys (UK) has acquired the VZ-1000 scanner from 3D Laser Mapping, introducing a solution capable of capturing high-speed, non-contact measurements at distances approaching 1,400 meters. This extended range enables accurate data collection from hazardous or difficult-to-reach environments while maintaining operator safety.

The system’s tightly focused laser beam, combined with a rapid scanning mechanism, provides precise measurement performance even under challenging weather conditions. Integrated processing software and an optional high-resolution digital imaging component allow users to capture both spatial and visual data simultaneously, making the scanner suitable for topographic mapping, mining operations, infrastructure monitoring, civil engineering, archaeology, and architectural documentation.

Mining Surveys (UK), headquartered in Chesterfield, selected the instrument primarily for its ability to survey extensive sites from secure observation points. The technology supports efficient mapping of coastal areas, quarries, landfills, and other inaccessible locations while delivering measurement speeds and accuracy levels that rival or exceed those of conventional short-range scanning systems.

Since adopting the scanner, the company has applied it to a variety of complex projects, including surveys of an active electrical supply installation, Sheffield Cathedral, and mudflat regions near construction activity along the River Thames. The non-contact measurement capability proved especially valuable at the power facility, where safety considerations limit physical access. In addition, rapid data capture significantly reduced fieldwork time, allowing teams to complete scanning in approximately one and a half days—considerably faster than traditional survey methods—and to collect additional datasets requested by clients without requiring a return visit.

Technically, the VZ-1000 employs echo digitization and real-time waveform analysis to maintain measurement reliability in adverse conditions. The system delivers accuracy levels of approximately 5 millimeters across its extended operating range—an increase of roughly 800 meters compared with earlier models—while capturing as many as 122,000 measurement points per second across a 100- by 360-degree scanning field. As part of Riegl’s V-Line series, the scanner incorporates advanced waveform processing capabilities that support detection of multiple targets, improved distance precision, high scanning throughput, and a quality indicator for every recorded measurement.

With its combination of extended range, operational efficiency, and high-precision data acquisition, the new long-range laser scanning technology represents a major advancement for surveying organizations working in demanding environments throughout the United Kingdom.