The Use of Drones for Surveying Applications
Keywords:
Drones, UAV, Surveying, Photogrammetry, LiDAR, GIS, Remote SensingAbstract
Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are revolutionizing traditional surveying practices by providing rapid, cost-effective, and high-resolution data capture. This study examines the use of drones in surveying, emphasizing photogrammetry, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and real-time mapping techniques. Field data collected in Onitsha, Anambra State, demonstrates that drone-based surveys can reduce field time by up to 70% while achieving positional accuracy of ±3 cm horizontally and ±5 cm vertically compared to conventional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) methods. Key advantages include safe access to hazardous or difficult terrain, reduced manpower requirements, and seamless integration with Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms. Limitations such as battery life, weather dependency, and regulatory constraints are also critically evaluated. The findings support drones as viable tools for cadastral, topographic, and construction surveys in Nigeria and similar developing regions, offering significant potential for enhancing spatial data acquisition efficiency.
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