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Statewide Lidar Cost/Benefit Analysis

Sam HallGeospatial Projects ManagerVirginia Geographic Information Network

January 9, 2008

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Overview• Virginia’s cost/benefit analysis

process• VGIN’s plan for developing a lidar

cost/benefit analysis and current progress

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Virginia’s Cost/Benefit Analysis Process

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Factors to Consider• Factors to consider when evaluating a

statewide (or regional) lidar collection effort:– Business needs of a diverse group of users– Size, terrain, and accessibility of project

area– Alternative technologies and data sources

that may meet users’ needs– Cost/befit ratio of data collection– Funding plan

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Virginia’s CBA Process

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Virginia’s CBA Process• Gather background information

– Define project objectives– Document current or “as is” state– Estimate future requirements

• Identify and measure costs and benefits– Collect and document costs

• Document assumptions, choose three alternatives, estimate and document costs of all options

– Identify and document benefits• Identify and quantify tangible and intangible benefits

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Virginia’s CBA Process (cont.)• Analyze data

– Compare alternatives– Conduct sensitivity and risk analyses– Calculate return on investment, payback, and

net present value• Document recommendation in a project

proposal

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VGIN’s Plan for Developing a

Cost/Benefit Analysis for

Lidar Collection

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Gathering Background Information• Lidar page on VGIN’s website (coming in January

2008)– General information about lidar– Document archive (minutes, presentations, etc.)– Lidar blog

• Survey of state and local government agencies (coming in January 2008)– Documenting current state, potential benefits, future

needs– Survey will be accessible from VGIN website– Assistance from federal agencies and industry leaders

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Gathering Background Information• Targeted meetings after the survey• Meetings with lidar vendors to review

emerging technologies• Reviewing the experiences of other states• Lidar COIN or steering committee?

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Identifying Costs and Benefits• Gather benefits information via survey and

targeted meetings• Costs estimates will be based on a

“Virginia Lidar Standard” that will meet most users’ needs (developed through meetings, lidar COIN, and/or steering committee)

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Data Analysis and Project Proposal• Tentative schedule:

– Background information gathering and cost/benefit documentation complete by spring 2008

– Data analysis and project proposal complete by summer 2008

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Discussion