Digital Surface Model (DSM) acquired as part of the Los Angeles Regional Imagery Acquisition Consortium in 2006. The DSM contains elevations and includes buildings, vegetation, and roads, as well as natural terrain features, whereas the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) represents bare earth.
This dataset is one of a group of elevation related datasets acquired by LAR-IAC in 2006. These datasets included:
- Digital Elevation Model gridded
- Digital Elevation Model point
- Digital Surface Model gridded
- Digital Surface Model point
- 2-foot contours
The DSM is a critical component for a large variety of applications, most which require specialized training, software, and skills, but are critical for organizations:
- Relief Mapping
- Flood Modeling
- Solar Mapping
- Terrain Modeling
- and many others.
DSM Detail
The Digital Surface Model was acquired using LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), which used a laser mounted in the planes that were acquiring the 4-inch orthophotography data. Hundreds of millions of ground measurements were made using this system, which is extremeley accurate. This source was used for urban/suburban areas of the County in mainland (approximately 2,898 square miles) and Catalina Island covering approximately 75 square miles.
This dataset meets or exceeds ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) 1:100 scale mapping. Accuracy is within +/- 2 feet of true location with 95% confidence.
Detailed product information is contained in the LAR-IAC Product Guide.
We highly recommend that you visit the LAR-IAC Project Website to find a rich source of information about the data and the LAR-IAC program. The site includes project documents, full FGDC compliant metadata, data downloads of related GIS used to complete the project, sub-licensing information, sample imagery and data, and information about the 2006 acquisition.
GIS Data showing flight-date information is available from the site, and elsewhere in the LA County GIS Data Portal.
The imagery is held under license from InfoTech International, and cannot be publicly released. Government entities are eligible to join the LAR-IAC program to access the data. Private entities may contact InfoTech directly to purchase selected parts of the data.
About LAR-IAC
The Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LAR-IAC) Program is a collaborative acquisition program for digital aerial imagery data which has included the participation of 10 County departments, 30 municipalities, and four other public agencies.
The consortium is a model for regional cooperation that improves the quality, access, and cost-effectiveness of high resolution digital aerial imagery. Knowledge transfer is increased through consortium program meetings, user groups, and various workshops that have been established in conjunction with the project. The imagery acquired will enable all participating jurisdictions to leverage this key geographic information asset for numerous decision support and business applications, thereby facilitating the effective and efficient delivery of services.
Purchasing LAR-IAC data
Government agencies acquire LAR-IAC elevation data only through the County consortium. Private companies can acquire LAR-IAC data as part of a project they are working on with a LAR-IAC consortium member, or by contacting the original data vendor, Infotech. Contact information is here:
Srinu Ratnala
Project Manager – N & CE
Infotech Enterprises America, Inc
100 Carpenter Drive, STE 200,
Sterling, VA – 20164
Tel : + 1 (571) 313-1065 Ext: 129
Cell : + 1 (703) 401-6586
E-mail : Srinu.Ratnala@infotech-enterprises.com
www.infotech-enterprises.com