LiDAR Surveying.
Track Inspection.
Millimeter-accurate corridor data. No track possession. No crew risk. 12 miles a day — delivered in days, not weeks.
12 Miles
Corridor / Day
±2cm
LiDAR Accuracy
5 Days
Data Delivery
$2M
Liability Coverage
No DJI. No Foreign-Manufactured Drones. Full Stop.
Federal procurement rules under NDAA Section 848 prohibit drones manufactured by certain foreign entities on government-adjacent and federally funded rail infrastructure projects. Valen Aerial flies exclusively American-made aircraft — so your project stays compliant, your data stays secure, and your procurement team stays happy.
Drone Survey vs. Traditional Methods
The numbers speak for themselves. Forward this to your project manager.
Railroad Survey Capabilities
From track geometry to full corridor mapping — we capture the data your engineering team needs to make confident decisions.
LiDAR Track Surveying
Our drones capture dense 3D point clouds along your entire right-of-way — giving you precise track geometry, elevation profiles, and clearance data without shutting down operations.
- Track alignment & geometry analysis
- Elevation and grade profiling
- Horizontal & vertical clearance checks
- Corridor mapping — 12 miles per day
Infrastructure Inspection
Bridges, culverts, retaining walls, signal structures — our drones get eyes on every inch of your infrastructure without scaffolding, lane closures, or putting crews in harm's way.
- Bridge deck & substructure inspection
- Culvert and drainage assessment
- Signal mast and overhead structure review
- Retaining wall condition surveys
Right-of-Way Mapping
Full corridor mapping with orthomosaic imagery, vegetation encroachment detection, and asset inventory — delivered as GIS-ready data your engineering team can use immediately.
- Orthomosaic & 3D corridor models
- Vegetation encroachment detection
- Asset inventory & change detection
- GIS-compatible deliverables (LAS, GeoTIFF, SHP)
What Comes Off the Train
Every project includes processed, engineering-ready deliverables — not just raw data dumps.
LAS / LAZ Point Cloud
Full-density 3D point cloud data ready for your engineering software.
Orthomosaic Imagery
Georeferenced high-resolution aerial imagery of your entire corridor.
Digital Elevation Model
Accurate terrain and surface models for grade and drainage analysis.
Inspection Report
Annotated findings with GPS coordinates, photos, and condition ratings.
GIS-Ready Shapefiles
Asset inventory and ROW boundary data in standard GIS formats.
Change Detection Analysis
Before/after comparisons to track corridor changes over time.
Precision You Can Count On.
We're veterans. We understand what it means to execute a mission with zero margin for error. That discipline carries into every corridor we fly — accurate data, on time, every time.
And because we fly American-made aircraft exclusively, your project is fully NDAA Section 848 compliant — no exceptions, no workarounds, no risk to your procurement.
Request a Quote🛤️ Why Railroad Operators Choose Us
- NDAA Section 848 compliant — no prohibited foreign components
- American-made aircraft — no DJI, no Chinese-manufactured drones
- No track possession required for most surveys
- 12 miles of corridor covered per day
- Zero risk to ground crews in active zones
- Data delivered within 5 business days
- FAA Part 107 certified pilots
- Fully insured — $2M liability coverage
- Veteran-owned and operated
All Aboard — Here's How It Works
No complicated procurement. No runaround. Just a clear process that gets you the data you need.
Reach Out
Tell us your corridor length, project goals, and timeline. Call, email, or fill out the form — we'll respond fast.
We Scope the Job
We review your corridor, confirm deliverable requirements, and send you a clear quote. No surprises.
We Fly the Corridor
Our pilots execute the mission with precision — capturing LiDAR, imagery, and inspection data in a single mobilization.
You Get the Data
Processed deliverables in your preferred formats, ready for your engineering team within 5 business days.
Where We Operate
Based in Niagara Falls, NY — we mobilize across the Northeast and take on projects nationwide for the right scope. If your corridor needs flying, reach out and we'll tell you if we can make it happen.
Don't see your state? Ask us anyway — we may still be able to help.
🚂 Typical Project Types
- Class I & Class II railroad corridor surveys
- Short-line and regional railroad inspections
- Transit authority right-of-way mapping
- Bridge and culvert condition assessments
- Pre-construction corridor baseline surveys
- Post-storm or post-incident damage assessment
- Annual inspection programs
Questions We Hear a Lot
Straight answers. No fluff.
QDo you need a track possession window to fly?
For most LiDAR corridor surveys — no. Our drones operate from the right-of-way boundary and don't require the track to be out of service. For close-up bridge underside inspections or work within the clearance envelope, we'll coordinate with your operations team on a brief window.
QWhat file formats do you deliver?
Standard deliverables include LAS/LAZ point clouds, GeoTIFF orthomosaics, DEM rasters, GIS shapefiles, and PDF inspection reports with annotated imagery. If your engineering software needs a specific format, let us know — we'll accommodate.
QHow do you handle active rail lines during the survey?
Safety is non-negotiable. Our pilots are trained to operate in proximity to active infrastructure. We coordinate with your dispatcher, maintain required clearances at all times, and can pause operations instantly if a train approaches. We've never had an incident.
QAre you NDAA Section 848 compliant?
Yes — fully. We fly exclusively American-made aircraft with no prohibited foreign components. We can provide documentation for your procurement team on request.
QHow accurate is your LiDAR data?
Our systems deliver ±2cm point cloud accuracy under standard survey conditions. We use ground control points (GCPs) to validate accuracy and include a data quality report with every deliverable package.
QHow long does a typical project take?
Field work for a 10–20 mile corridor typically takes 1–2 days of flying. Processed deliverables are in your hands within 5 business days of the final flight. Larger corridors are scoped individually.
Have a question that's not here?
Ask Us DirectlyReady to Survey Your Corridor?
Tell us your corridor length and project goals — we'll get you a quote fast.
FAA certified. NDAA compliant. Veteran-owned. American-made.