Frostburg State University Student Uses Cutting Edge LiDAR Technology to Transform Construction Industry Standards

Frostburg State University Student Uses Cutting Edge LiDAR Technology to Transform Construction Industry Standards

Jan 27, 2026 11:00 AM

Frostburg State University student Nathan Holaus is on-site at the Arlington Career Center, witnessing the future of the construction industry firsthand. Holaus, a student in FSU's Sustainable Construction Management (SCMT) program, is completing an internship with A&N Construction, a commercial siding company. His recent work has placed him at the center of technological integration, specifically utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanning to streamline complex architectural projects.

LiDAR is a remote-sensing technology that uses rapid laser pulses to measure distances with extreme accuracy. In a construction setting, the scanner emits millions of laser points that bounce off walls and structural elements to create a precise 3D "point cloud" model.

For Holaus and the team at A&N Construction, this technology is a gamechanger. The 3D model provides exact dimensions for cutting panel sizes, ensuring a perfect fit for commercial siding.

"The job that was completed with the LiDAR scanner took a few hours compared to what would take a crew at least a day with lots of manpower utilized," said Holaus. "Learning about these technologies in the construction management program has opened my eyes to the possibilities the future holds. Learning about them is very cool but seeing them in action in person is even cooler."

The Sustainable Construction Management program at FSU, housed within the College of Business, Engineering, Computational, & Mathematical Sciences (CBECMS), is designed to bridge the gap between traditional building methods and modern digital solutions.

"Nathan's work shows exactly what the future of construction looks like," said Dr. Thomas Cadenazzi, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for SCMT. "Seeing our students work hands-on with technologies like LiDAR and AI-driven 3D modeling on active commercial projects shows how rapidly our industry is evolving. Our program is meant to prepare students not just to participate in that future, but to lead it."

Holaus, who has worked with A&N Construction since last summer and plans to continue through the upcoming year, noted that the technology even extends to autonomous drones that can scan entire buildings without human interaction.

"This speaks to the potential of our students across the construction industry," added Cadenazzi. "It shows that there is room for technological integration and improvement in a field as hands-on as construction. And it is happening right now."