LIDAR Dataset Validation for Enhancing Vegetation Management in Distribution System Operator Powerline Infrastructure

This study investigates the use of LIDAR technology to enhance vegetation management practices for powerline infrastructure within a Distribution System Operator (DSO) framework. The research focuses on validating LIDAR datasets for identifying vegetation encroachment and assessing its impact on powerline safety and maintenance. The experimental process included data acquisition, processing, and risk assessment based on vegetation volumes to powerlines. Results from the LIDAR analysis were compared to traditional manual inspections, revealing a high level of accuracy, with discrepancies primarily attributable to human error, within a 10% margin. The findings demonstrate the potential for automating vegetation monitoring, improving decision-making, and reducing the time and resources required for fieldwork. This approach paves the way for future innovations in predictive vegetation management and risk mitigation strategies using geospatial data.