Land surveying boasts a rich history, stretching back to nearly the dawn of civilization itself. For as long as humans have erected grand structures, some form of inspecting, assessing, and documenting diverse landscapes has been imperative for construction and record-keeping. The earliest applications of this profession, dating back to around 3,000 BC, involved delineating properties for farming, demarcating flood zones, and even contributing to the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza.
The Egyptians utilized beeswax-treated ropes, fastened at crucial points, for distance measurement, and plumb bobs as primitive levels. In ancient Greece, surveyors refined these methods, developing the astrolabe, a physical “star chart,” to determine latitude atop mountains. The Mesopotamian groma and Chinese magnetic compass were revolutionary technological advancements that revolutionized surveying practices. Furthermore, in Rome, land surveying evolved into an established profession, primarily for taxation purposes.
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After the invention of the diopter and subsequently theodolites, land surveying remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Triangulation, the process of using the angles of a triangle to determine relative position, served as the standard method until the advent of GPS, GIS, and computer modeling. Although aerial photography initially found military applications in verifying ground surveys, its adoption for simple commercial use remained prohibitively expensive. This barrier-to-entry spurred the adoption of drone technology over the past twenty years.
Today, as drones rapidly gain popularity, businesses seeking to embrace new technology are presented with a myriad of options, including various brands, models, hardware, and software. However, like their predecessors, drones encounter skepticism.
Questions regarding the efficacy of UAVs, the reliability of their data, and concerns about their potential to displace jobs all linger within the industry. These misconceptions cast doubt on the future role of drone technology. Nonetheless, when utilized to complement established surveying practices, drones can foster a symbiotic relationship.
Drone Pilot Setting up a LiDAR Equipped Drone
1. Drones are merely a toy, they cannot achieve survey-grade accuracy.
While many drones are popular among hobbyists and amateur photographers, it’s incorrect to assume that all UAVs fall under the “toy” category. A simple examination of the hardware can differentiate drones intended for recreational use from those designed for commercial applications.
For instance, the DJI Mini 3, a more affordable option, is not suitable for enterprise-scale operations. However, models like the DJI Mavic 3E (Mavic 3 Enterprise) or DJI M350 (Matrice 350 RTK) are capable of meeting the demands of documentation and data collection. Equipped with sensors, GPS, and IMUs, these drones are powerful tools for surveying and mapping, enabling precise, reliable, and geo-referenced measurements through techniques such as photogrammetry.
When combined with surveying software or hardware such as ground control points (GCPs), these findings become even more accurate. GCPs and other checkpoints validate or correct GPS positioning, thereby ensuring the accuracy of each survey.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
A Proven Roadmap of Success for Implementing Drones in Construction.
A List of Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Drone Service Providers.
How to Persuade Your Leadership Team to Leverage Drones on Every Jobsite.
Collected by GPS rovers, base stations, and GNSS receivers, these points utilize RTK base stations or the CORS network service to cross-reference real-time positioning information. RTK (real-time kinematic) and PPK (post-processing kinematic) techniques further enhance the positional accuracy of these receivers to the centimeter level.
While RTK utilizes a base station and corresponding receivers to compare phase measurements instantaneously, PPK compares base station data with a drone’s onboard GPS for post-processing. When these reference points are used in conjunction with aerial imagery, one can ensure that each drone map is precise and on target. Everything is geocoded!
Therefore, the assertion that drones cannot achieve survey-grade accuracy is entirely untrue. Many popular software programs include RMSE accuracy reports, which assess model performance by identifying location errors and assigning a relative accuracy score. When compared against ground-truth measurements, this method achieves a 95% confidence level.
2. Drone surveying requires no skill! This tech practically holds your hand; it’s plug-and-play, anyone can do it!
Drone surveying is not a one-size-fits-all solution. While software has simplified setup and flight operations, real-world applications demand the technical skills and aerial expertise of an experienced pilot. Successful commercial drone operation necessitates a solid grasp of surveying principles and the ability to efficiently collect and process data.
At its core, proficiency with GPS (Global Positioning System) is indispensable for day-to-day operations in the profession. Before engaging in more complex topographic or boundary surveys, establishing reference points, survey marks, and geographic positions is essential. Background experience or knowledge in various surveying types (such as subdivision or ALTA/ACSM), zoning regulations, and FAA guidelines further enhances proficiency.
When it comes to time-consuming or laborious tasks like cut and fill surveying, drone pilots truly demonstrate their value. Instead of manually verifying earthworks—requiring walking the entire site, measuring points, and tracking truckloads of aggregates through calculations—operators can conduct an earthwork survey on behalf of project engineers or estimators. Within a fraction of the time, clear reference points for project success can be established.
Related Article – How Drones Provide Unmatched Value Amongst Construction Stakeholders
Given that dirt conservation and fill optimization are the ultimate goals, precision in measurements is paramount. The process begins with strategically placing Ground Control Points (GCPs) and checkpoints and logging their coordinates. Once flown, pilots can capture contour data and pre-existing conditions from the air, then utilize software to generate a terrain model or report of current conditions. This information, combined with other design files, enables the generation of accurate cut/fill quantities that can be shared with relevant stakeholders.
Still, drone pilots must make numerous small decisions beforehand to achieve the desired result. Questions such as the type of land survey required (boundary or topographic), the choice between RGB and multispectral cameras or LIDAR lasers for optimal outcomes, and whether the processing or photogrammetry software corrects for lens distortion, camera tilt, or object removal, all need to be addressed. Additionally, can a GeoTIFF map be produced for the client?
These questions, many of which are highly situational, cannot be answered by plug-and-play software alone; they require the expertise of a trained professional. Drone service providers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between on-the-ground operations conducted by manual, physical teams and the intricate data processing and analysis performed in the back office.
3. Drones are just an overhyped fad, the shift back to traditional ways is inevitable.
Resistance to new technology, regardless of its scale or form, is not uncommon. Such concerns often overlook the significant and enduring impact drones have already had on major industries like construction or oil and gas.
In fact, data indicates that drone technology is here to stay, projected to reach a market value of $101.1 billion by 2032. With a multitude of applications, use cases, and brands available, we are likely to witness a transformation in entire surveying workflows as adoption becomes more widespread. Already, in the construction sector alone, this growth has exceeded 239%.
For instance, when comparing conventional stockpile surveys to drone-assisted methods, the strides made in efficiency, safety, and cost-saving measures become apparent. Many surveyors recall the days before digital technology, when measurements were taken by hand, stockpile volumes were manually calculated, and images were captured using DSLR cameras.
Although software like Trimble Siteworks automated parts of this process, an on-site professional still needed to traverse the area, stopping periodically to record points and elevation, among other variables. Moreover, establishing brake lines, contours, and boundaries required significantly more human intervention, consuming valuable time. When contrasted with drone technology, the tangible benefits are evident.
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The tool enables up to 30 times faster data capture and generates 10,000 times more data in just a fraction of the time. Given its adaptive nature and true versatility, demand for this technology is unlikely to waver.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that many surveying practices cannot be entirely replaced by drones. Certain “traditional” tools and techniques, such as static surveys and control setup, remain indispensable. For optimal results, The Drone Life recommends adopting a mixed-use strategy that combines drone technology with manual labor.
Drone LiDAR Survey Point Cloud of Future Construction Site
4. New surveying technology? The data’s a gamble – untrustworthy, unproven, and risky.
At first glance, one may not realize that drone technology isn’t really “new.” On the commercial end, DJI released its first model in 2009, now 15 years ago! Since then, the technology has gained serious recognition for its accuracy, reliability, and consistency as a go-to surveying tool.
This is partly attributed to GNSS, or the Global Navigation Satellite System, introduced over 30 years ago to replace simple benchmarks. With this invention, surveyors no longer had to calculate physical distances from known points or determine solar or lunar positions to establish their starting point.
While GNSS is now a well-established and critical component of modern surveying, it too faced skepticism in its early years. The receivers’ bulky and expensive hardware hindered mainstream appeal, limiting their use primarily to the military and scientific communities for navigation in remote wilderness areas.
It wasn’t until the late 1990s that significant improvements occurred. Differential GPS (DGPS) techniques were combined with ground stations as reference points, enhancing positional accuracy. As satellite signals became more refined and the hardware size decreased, adoption of GNSS technology grew.
Despite initial lack of knowledge or apprehension regarding new measurement methods, the same can be said for drone technology. After just a few tests or sample comparisons in the field against accepted procedures, one can individually confirm the accuracy of drones.
Derived from years of extensive testing and refinement, drones consistently match ground truth measurements, with commercial-grade survey models delivering accuracy within 0.5 cm to 2 cm. Additional software, Ground Control Points (captured using GNSS!), or third-party DSPs can then help analyze or verify collected data.
Crew Setting Up Ground Control for Drone Survey
5. Drones? They’re job thieves, leaving us seasoned folk out of work!
Drones are not here to replace surveyors; instead, they take on the manual, physical work. As a dependable and safe method of reality capture, drones make an excellent addition to the surveying toolkit. When used in conjunction with physical measurements and other traditional estimation methods, they create an ideal and comprehensive workflow.
The influx of innovative technology into the construction industry further supports its long-term outlook. The average age of a licensed surveyor in the United States is 53, nearing retirement age. As more surveyors reach retirement, attracting new workers to these roles becomes crucial for the profession’s sustainability. State-of-the-art technology and evolving software that meet demand and interest are attractive to younger, eager professionals. Drones, wearables, tablets, and similar devices may bridge the construction industry’s well-known “experience gap.”
Over the coming decade, the drones and robotics industry alone is expected to generate approximately $80 billion in new economic activity, leading to the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs in construction. Many of these roles will likely include machinists, equipment operators, software developers, and back-office staff. With the industry growing steadily, there’s ample opportunity for all. Instead of viewing drones as an obstacle, we can alternatively see this technology as a catalyst for growth.
As automation takes hold, individuals interested in career advancement can transition to more specialized roles. Drone pilots and technicians, data analysts, and various roles in Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) are just a few of the career paths that emerge when drones handle repetitive, hazardous, or time-consuming tasks.
Cutting Through the Noise: When to Enlist a Drone Service Provider
With so many misconceptions surrounding drone survey technology, distinguishing truth from fiction can be challenging. At The Drone Life, we provide personalized consulting and customized aerial service solutions for surveying and engineering firms. Our team of professionals is ready and equipped to address your inquiries on a range of topics, including proper data collection methods, recommended applications, and endorsed hardware and software, among others. Schedule a free consultation with us today to begin.
What's included in YOUR GUIDE...
A Proven Roadmap of Success for Implementing Drones in Construction.
A List of Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Drone Service Providers.
How to Persuade Your Leadership Team to Leverage Drones on Every Jobsite.
