Which outputs are primarily derived from LiDAR data for resilience planning?

• A. Thermal maps for urban heat islands.
• B. Basemap color styles for dashboards.
• C. Air quality indices for urban health.
• D. High-resolution elevation models for flood mapping, slope stability, drainage design, and terrain analysis.

Answer: (D)

LiDAR data provides precise 3D measurements of the surface, which lets you build high-resolution elevation models that capture the shape and slope of the terrain in great detail. Those elevation models are the fundamental outputs used in resilience planning because they directly feed flood mapping, slope stability assessment, drainage design, and broad terrain analysis. With a detailed elevation model, you can delineate floodplains, model water flow paths, identify low-lying areas prone to inundation, compute slope and aspect to assess landslide risk, and map drainage networks and catchments for effective stormwater design. The other outputs listed—thermal maps, basemap styling, and air quality indices—come from different sensing methods (thermal imaging, visualization tools, and air sensors, respectively) and are not primarily derived from LiDAR data.