What is a benefit of using LIDAR over RADAR?

LIDAR's ability to capture detailed surface information is one of its most significant advantages over RADAR. This is primarily due to the shorter wavelengths of light used in LIDAR, which allow it to achieve higher resolution measurements. As a result, LIDAR can provide intricate details about the shape, texture, and composition of the surface being analyzed, such as vegetation structure and terrain features, with greater accuracy than RADAR. This level of detail is valuable in various applications, including topographic mapping, forestry, and urban planning.

In contrast, while other factors such as equipment cost or operational spectrum do play a role in the choice between LIDAR and RADAR, they do not provide the same level of detail for surface information that LIDAR can. Additionally, RADAR typically performs better in adverse weather conditions, including rain and fog, which can limit the effectiveness of LIDAR in those scenarios.