UAV and Aerial Surveys

Unmanned Air Vehicle aerial Surveys are used to provide survey information for large areas or sites that cannot be accessed at ground level. Using a UAV (Drone) equipped with digital camera, GPS and altitude sensor to fly pre planned flight lines and provide overlapping aerial photography of the site.

Photo centre positions can then be accurately calculated using specialist software. The software is used to carry out aerial triangulation and bundle adjustment of overlapping photos using GPS Camera positions, camera calibration and ground control as reference. After this process has been carried out accurate 3D measurement can be obtained digitally from the photo model.

This method can provide accuracies of up to +/- 20mm on hard detail features and an accuracy of up to +/- 50mm on soft detail such as short grass. Accuracy of final deliverables is dependent on flying height, photo quality and ground control configuration. iO Geomatics uses the following drones to deliver our services;

SenseFly Ebee X (Fixed Wing)- Ideal for topographical surveys on sites from 1 Hectare to 5,000 hectares.
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise (Multirotor)- Ideal for small topographical surveys , inspections and 3D modelling on sites from 0.5 Hectares to 50 Hectares.

What advantages do UAV aerial surveys provide?

An effective method for surveying large and/or inaccessible areas quickly.
Cost effective when compared to using ground survey techniques or conventional aircraft.
Suitable for preliminary design and detailed design especially when combined with ground survey techniques. An example of this would be for a road corridor where the field areas can be surveyed using aerial techniques and ground survey of road geometry where greater accuracy is required.
Photography captured as part of the process can be used to produce ortho photography or photorealistic 3D models.

Capability

IO Geomatics uses a Trimble UX5 HP to carry out aerial surveys. IO Geomatics managing director Colin Murtagh has a 25 year career working in the aerial survey industry and is one the few private sector surveyors who has this level of experience in the industry. Initially working as a photogrammetrist in 1998 gives him a key advantage in understanding the capabilities of air surveys and this working knowledge ensures that we provide high quality mapping. Our company differs from competitors in that we use a mathematically rigourous classic photogrammetry approach to provide aerial mapping and ortho photography. This approach involves using manual stereo extraction and semi automated measurement techniques to extract survey data.

Services

Topographical Surveys:

Preliminary and Detailed design surveys of road/rail corridors or proposed sites.

As Built surveys:

Provides both a photo record and 3D plan survey of sites and is ideal for smaller sites such water treatment plans, electricity sub stations, manufacturing sites.

Volume Surveys:

Provides a quick method of surveying stock piles over large areas such as road corridors, quarries or coal yards.

Photo/video record:

Provides an efficient means of recording progress before/during/after construction progress. Extremely cost effective when compared to using conventional aerial photos/videos.

Multi Spectral:

Capture of photography at specific frequencies across the electromagnetic spectrum such as infrared. This type of photography can be used for vegetation mapping, tree counts or detecting heat loss.

3D modelling:

A 3D point cloud can also be produced and this can be used to produce 3D models or BIM modelling of infrastructure.

Delivery formats

2D and/or 3D AutoCAD drawings.
Orthophotos
Digital Surface Models
Digital Terrain Models
Multispectral Imagery
3D Point Clouds
Photorealistic 3D models

Why use IO Geomatics for UAV projects?

25 years experience in aerial surveys and photogrammetry.
We have worked and managed some of the largest and most complex aerial survey contracts in Ireland. We bring this experience to all projects both large and small.
Our company differs from competitors in that we use a mathematically rigourous photogrammetry approach.
High level of Professional Indemnity Insurance cover in place for all projects.
Our company has invested in the latest UAV technology and software to deliver a quality product to our clients.
Operatives and UAVs are fully IAA licensed to provide the service.