Benefits of a drone survey

Advantages of a drone survey

There are lots of benefits to a drone survey over traditional surveying methods. Here are some of the main advantages:

Time saving and cost effective

Drone surveys are significantly faster than other land surveying techniques. Traditional survey methods can be time-consuming requiring manual measurements to be taken of the whole area. Depending on the size of the area you are surveying, this could take days or even weeks to complete. A drone on the other hand can quickly capture high-resolution images or collect data using the attached sensors which can then be analysed. As fewer resources are required for collecting and analysing the data, this can lead to faster project turnaround times and can also save money.

High precision and accuracy

If a drone is equipped with advanced sensors, it will be able to accurately capture high-resolution data making them perfect for GIS. The data collected will allow for highly accurate elevation models and 3D topographic maps to be created. They can also produce detailed orthomosaic maps with accurate measurements using photogrammetry techniques, which involve stitching together overlapping images. Regular drone surveys can help you detect changes to an area over time.

Drones can fly at a much lower altitude enabling them to generate high-resolution images much faster and more cost-effectively, unlike manned aircraft or satellite imagery, They are also not impacted by atmospheric conditions like cloud cover as they are flying at a much lower altitude.

The precision and accuracy of drone surveys enable surveyors to make informed decisions based on reliable data, reducing the risk of errors and helping to improve the overall quality of survey results.

Flexibility and versatility

Drones are extremely versatile to use and can adapt to your surveying needs. They can be easily programmed to follow predefined flight paths or operated manually to capture data from different angles and altitudes. There’s nothing worse than trying to survey an area that is inaccessible or difficult to manoeuvre through. Rugged terrain, dense vegetation and hazardous areas can make surveying impossible but drones are not impacted by these things. They can safely capture all the data you need. You can also survey roads and railway lines without having to temporarily close them off cutting out any disruption this would cause. 

Safely survey areas

One of the biggest advantages of using drones for surveys is increased safety. Traditional surveying methods can involve visiting hazardous areas which can be rugged, have dense vegetation, steep slopes and dangerous drops. Drones allow you to remotely survey an area eliminating the need to physically access the area. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents or injuries during surveying helping keep you and your team safe.

An environmental way to survey

Traditional survey methods often require physical access to an area. This can cause ecological disruption or damage to sensitive ecosystems. Drones can survey an area without the need to disturb anything. Drones can also reduce carbon emissions significantly. Drones are already reducing greenhouse-gas emissions when delivering parcels so they are a far cleaner alternative to using a plane or satellite to conduct aerial surveys. 

Limitations of a drone survey

There are plenty of benefits to using drones for surveys but they also have their limitations. Here are some of the disadvantages of a drone survey:

Drones cannot survey the subsurface

Drones are ideal for capturing photos and data of the surface; however, unlike a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), they cannot scan underground. To scan the subsurface accurately, a radar needs to be pressed against the surface which a drone is unable to do.

This limits the overall value of a survey when there could be buried obstructions or structural issues like voids and sinkholes undetected below the surface that could severely impact a construction project. You could combine a drone survey with an archaeological GPR survey for your next project to give you the full picture of everything above and below ground. 

Drone regulations continue to change

The ever-changing regulations for drone usage can make it confusing to know what permits are required, especially if you are surveying urban areas. A company that specialises in drones should have the correct permits but it makes it difficult for private operators to use them legally.

Drones have a limited flight time

Drones run on batteries that regularly need charging so they can only fly for a limited amount of time. If you are surveying a large area, you will likely need multiple drones or battery packs to complete this in a time-effective manner.

Wind and poor weather can affect drone use

Drones do not fly well in windy conditions due to their lightweight. They can easily be blown off course which can make it impossible to accurately collect data in strong winds. In some cases, you can wait for a day without high winds.

In some areas, high winds are a regular occurrence and will not be suitable for drone surveys. You would need to do a ground survey which can be very time-consuming for large areas or use a plane or helicopter to scan the area instead. 

Drones require skilled operators 

Flying a drone is not as easy as some may make it look. Drones can easily be crashed if the person operating the drone is inexperienced which can result in injury or property damage, not to mention a broken drone. When surveying an area, you will need a skilled drone operator to capture everything safely and accurately. 

Using drones and GPR togther

For the best results from a drone survey, we recommend using GPR alongside it for a comprehensive map of the surface and subsurface. This will help you know exactly what is on your property or construction site before you start any work, ensuring you do not get any nasty surprises that could delay your project and see costs soar.