Almost every property development project begins with a land survey. Surveys provide critical information that enables informed decision-making ranging from construction site planning to design and upkeep of infrastructure, and more. One piece of equipment that is used is for this purpose is a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Drones have been successfully integrated into land surveying because of their ability to capture data from above and provide different types of maps.
Benefits
- Decreased Time & Costs
Some sites can take weeks and sometimes months for land surveyors to compile information using traditional methods. Collecting this same data via a drone technology saves loads of time. Capturing topographic data with a drone is up to five times faster than with land-based methods.
- Maps Inaccessible Areas
Land surveying can be a dangerous job. Drone surveys eliminate the need for surveyors to traverse unknown terrain. This helps avoid high-risk situations navigating areas such as rail lines or rocky terrains. Drones are especially useful in gathering data in hard to reach locations or vantage points that are inaccessible. A drone can fly almost anywhere and can take on steep slopes and harsh areas unsuitable for traditional measuring tools.
- More Accurate & Precise Data
Drone cameras take a series of high-definition photos at different angles, creating thousands of accurate data points, including geo-references, elevation points, and colors. This allows developers to create 3D models of a site or building. Clients can see more than what a traditional survey provides.
