Finnish aerial photography and laser scanning programme saves millions for society

The aerial photography and laser scanning data produced by the National Land Survey of Finland (NLS) saves several million euros for society each year, even according to conservative estimates. Even more accurate data may be available in the future.

Data from aerial photography and laser scanning has a very large number of users in Finland. This data is used, for example, to study forest resources, maintain the country's Topographic Database, monitor agriculture, map flood events, plan defence operations, determine the level of property tax and conduct archaeological research. The data is also available openly to the wider public – albeit with some restrictions, for security reasons.

The current data collection programme will enter its final year in 2025, and the next phase is already being planned. "There is demand for even more accurate data, which could be obtained by increasing the accuracy of laser scanning from five to 20 points. More accurate data can be used to identify smaller details such as parts of the road and rail network or more detailed biodiversity data. However, this would increase costs, and our current funding is insufficient for this," says Juha Kareinen, head of cartography at the NLS.

The possibility of increasing the accuracy of laser scanning while reducing the frequency of laser scanning is also being considered. The current schedule for aerial photography will remain unchanged because of the requirements set by agricultural monitoring in the EU.

Read the full version of this story on the website of the National Land Survey of Finland.