Drone surveying has become popular in recent years for aerial surveys. With their ability to assess an area from above and capture images, it is used by professionals in the construction business and surveyors to collect accurate data. It is used in surveys, photogrammetry, 3D mapping, urban planning, topographic surveying, and more.
The advent of this technology has given rise to what is popularly called today the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) surveying. DJI Zenmuse L1 and DJI Zenmuse P1 are some of the go-to solutions for aerial surveying.
Read on to find out more information about drone surveying programs.
How Do Drone Surveys Work?
Drones capture highly precise data accurately that is often not visible to the human eye. In a drone survey, the ground is photographed from various angles multiple times, and each image taken is assigned a set of coordinates.
Drone mapping software is used to process the data and produce materials, such as 3D models, 2D maps, and digital elevation models. The data includes exact measurements and volumetric calculations, which help in the construction of these materials.
Since drones can fly at a lower altitude and capture data of a much larger place in less time than individuals can, this method is preferred over traditional methods. Traditional methods require careful measurements and planning, which takes a reasonable amount of time.
Also, while drone surveying, humans do not need to walk over rough or rugged terrain to verify the data.
Key Benefits of Aerial Survey Using Drones
Different sectors can benefit from using aerial surveys. It is not just used to produce maps but for other construction, resource management and other projects.
1. Reduced Field Time and Survey Costs
Since only a few persons are required to operate the drone, the workforce is considerably reduced.
Also, a drone can cover a large area in a single day, which is humanly impossible if you are doing it manually. So, it saves the field time spent surveying a particular site.
Reduced cost and time are two of the most crucial reason behind the popularity of drones.
2. Get Data from Inaccessible Areas
Drones can fly anywhere, even over the most challenging terrains in the remotest areas. To get data, you do not have to worry about walking on a ridge or crossing railway tracks. Furthermore, there is no additional cost that you have to incur for reaching these problematic places.
3. Improved Accuracy
Drones produce accurate measurements of the areas they fly over. The measurements from the drone flight can be represented in different formats like orthomosaics or point clouds.
LiDAR and photogrammetry are two of the most common drone mapping methods for getting accurate data.
4. Monitor Progress Over Time
Because drone surveys are completed quickly, surveyors use drones to capture snapshots of an area over the course of time during a project. The best example of this is construction projects or forest rehabilitation projects. Surveyors can fly drones every week to track progress and assess the work.
5. Safety for Workers
Workers often risk their lives by using heavy machinery or equipment at a height. Using a drone eliminates the dangers associated with these works.
In addition to aerial surveying, drone mapping is increasingly used to identify project gaps, track work progress, forecast project delays, etc. Drone surveys can benefit many industries.
Whether you are interested in learning drone surveying programs for your project or exploring opportunities in this field, advanced equipment like DJI Zenmuse L1 can give you the best outputs in the industry. Since DJI is one of the industry leaders in aerial photography and videography, consider investing in equipment from this reputed brand
