FTG Expands Real-Time Monitoring Capabilities with LiDAR: What We’ve Learned in the Field

At Foundation Test Group (FTG), our work lives at the intersection of engineering judgment and measurable performance. When a project environment is complex, space is limited, and tolerances are tight, the question is simple: How do we see change early, quantify it reliably, and help teams act with confidence?

That is exactly where LiDAR has earned its place in our toolbox.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) provides rapid, non-contact measurement of surfaces and structures by capturing dense 3D point clouds. In geotechnical and infrastructure environments, that means we can document conditions, detect movement, and verify geometry with a level of coverage that traditional spot measurements alone cannot match. When paired with proven instrumentation systems, LiDAR becomes one more way we deliver the one thing every owner and contractor wants: clear, defensible data—fast.

Why LiDAR Matters for Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring

Instrumentation is often described as “data collection,” but the real value is decision support. LiDAR strengthens that decision support by adding:

• High-density coverage across the full field of view (not just at sensor locations)
• Non-contact scanning in areas where physical access is limited or hazardous
• Rapid change detection for deformation, alignment shifts, and construction progress verification
• A shared visual dataset that helps stakeholders quickly interpret what’s happening

LiDAR does not replace instrumentation like inclinometers, extensometers, piezometers, settlement systems, vibration monitoring, or tilt measurement—it complements it. In practice, it can help confirm trends, identify anomalies earlier, and provide broader context around localized readings.

FTG’s experience with LiDAR is grounded in active, high-stakes work—including major tunnel rehabilitation and lowering in dense urban conditions.

On the CSX Howard Street Tunnel program in Downtown Baltimore, our Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring team supported approximately 8,800 linear feet of tunnel lowering, deploying 9 GeoLidar systems across 30 sites alongside an extensive monitoring network.

This work also included 1,400+ laser tilt nodes, and additional instrumentation such as 60+ inclinometers, extensometers, and piezometers, while navigating constrained clearances (including bypassing twin subway tunnels with about six feet of separation).

Projects like this demand more than “more data.” They demand the right data, at the right frequency, in a format that supports real-time field decisions.

How FTG Approaches LiDAR in the Monitoring Workflow

Every site is different, but our LiDAR integration typically follows a disciplined workflow designed to reduce noise and increase confidence:

• Project-specific planning
• Define what “movement” means for the site (direction, magnitude, rate)
• Establish scan locations, target areas, and required frequency
• Align LiDAR capture with construction sequencing and risk windows
• Deployment and integration
• Coordinate LiDAR coverage with installed sensors (tilt, settlement, inclinometer arrays, etc.)
• Confirm line-of-sight, stability, and environmental constraints
• Validate that output formats support rapid interpretation and reporting
• Quality control and interpretation
• Apply repeatable baselines and control checks

Compare scans over time to identify meaningful change (not just “difference”)

• Translate point-cloud outputs into insights field teams can act on
• Communication that supports decisions
• Deliver information in ways that are easy to review under pressure
• Provide clear thresholds, trends, and exceptions
• Support stakeholder coordination when conditions shift

What Clients Gain from LiDAR-Enhanced Monitoring

LiDAR is most valuable when it reduces uncertainty. In our experience, teams benefit from:

• Earlier detection of movement patterns that may not be obvious from isolated points
• Better context for interpreting sensor readings and distinguishing site behavior from “instrument behavior”
• Improved documentation for condition tracking, progress validation, and post-construction reference
• More confident decisions during critical construction phases

Ultimately, the goal is not more technology—it’s better clarity when the work environment is complex.

FTG is committed to delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions across every phase of a project, including specialized services like geotechnical instrumentation, load testing, and integrity testing. LiDAR is one more way we’re expanding how we help teams monitor what matters, reduce risk, and keep projects moving.

If you’re planning work where access is constrained, tolerances are tight, or the consequences of movement are high, FTG can help design a monitoring approach that matches the real-world conditions of your site.

Learn more about FTG’s Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring services:
foundationtestgroup.com/geotechnical-instrumentation-services/