Assessing the Threshold: What Remote Sensing Accuracy is “Good Enough”?

In the remote sensing industry, we’re observing a growing market demand for lower-cost, lower-resolution solutions. This raises a critical question: what level of accuracy is being sacrificed with the lower resolutions, and can we strike the right balance between cost and performance to meet client needs? 

To explore this within the utility sector, we collected data across a range of resolutions and applied our vegetation management analytics. Our focus is on understanding how resolution affects the accuracy of detecting vegetation that may grow into, overhang, or fall onto utility powerlines. Additionally, we’re assessing whether utilities lacking GIS data for their structures or wires can still be effectively supported at lower resolutions—and how this limitation might impact overall accuracy. This allowed us to evaluate which analytics remain effective at each resolution and how accuracy is impacted. 

While our analysis is ongoing, early results are promising and suggest a viable path toward entering the low-resolution market in 2026. 

Fill out the form below to download the handbook.

Form #1 - Redirection to PDF

Form #2 - Sends email containing the link to the PDF

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

eNewsletter - NV5 Real Estate Transaction Services

Contact NV5 Real Estate Transaction Services

Download NV5 2022 Compliance Calendar

Please fill out the form below. After successful form submission, you will be redirected to the requested file. Thank you.

"*" indicates required fields

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact MaryJo OBrien at (954) 495-2112. Persons with hearing-and speech-impairments can contact the NV5 by using the Virginia Relay Service, a toll-free telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD). Call 711 for TTY/TDD.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Hyperspectral Imaging - Technically Speaking

Our internal innovation and development team constantly analyzes new technology and develops solutions to meet our client’s challenges. Our Technically Speaking series is one way we share our technical findings with the professional community. 

Please tell us a little about yourself by filling out the form below, and we’ll share the document with you, thanks!

Accuracy Part 1- Technically Speaking

Our internal innovation and development team constantly analyzes new technology and develops solutions to meet our client’s challenges. Our Technically Speaking series is one way we share our technical findings with the professional community. 

Please tell us a little about yourself by filling out the form below, and we’ll share the document with you, thanks!

Prune Optimization Webinar Recording

NV5 Geospatial releases a new predictive modeling platform for vegetation management that uses existing lidar and historical data to identify the relative level of asset risk from trees by quantifying the potential for causing asset damage. 

Please tell us a little about yourself by filling out the form below, and we’ll share the document with you, thanks!

Topobathy Lidar - Technically Speaking

Our internal innovation and development team constantly analyzes new technology and develops solutions to meet our client’s challenges. Our Technically Speaking series is one way we share our technical findings with the professional community. 

Please tell us a little about yourself by filling out the form below, and we’ll share the document with you, thanks!

Contact Geospatial

Contact Geospatial