Top 5 Benefits of Drones in The Domain Of Urban Planning

Introduction

The Indian construction sector is a fastest growing industry in the present scenario. The industry is making extensive use of modern technologies like Drones, 3D printing, 3D Laser Scanning, etc. to achieve a comfortable as well as sustainable housing for everyone.

With the initiative of “Smart City Mission” by our honorable PM. Narendra Modi, the widespread use of latest construction technology is gaining advancements.

Photogrammetry is the buzzing word nowadays and is becoming a popular career option for the graduates as well as engineers from any stream. Photogrammetry means merely the combination of Photography and Geometry. It is used to get the accurate data of an object with the help of photographs and is helpful in mapping, surveying, urban town planning as well as development.

 The photogrammetry technology uses drones to click the pictures. Civilian drones are in booming phase and are proving beneficial in almost every sector. Let’s see its benefits in the realm of urban planning and development. Also, we will look into the reasons behind choosing drones for mapping and surveying.

The traditional method of data collection

Conventionally, data is collected by ground-based survey tools. But there were lots of disadvantages like expenses, inaccuracy in data, increased workforce, etc. With the introduction of drones, the jobs are getting done in a very faster way with low maintenance expenses, quick deployment times and different types of installable cameras. The data collection process was faster, cheaper as well as safer as compared with data collection of satellites, manned aircraft, or the road crews.  The drones are useful for mapping road, highway and the railway infrastructures.

Top five benefits of drones in Urban Planning

1. Machine-driven Mapping

With the support of multiple control points, the drone can fly a calculated fly path autonomously at a given altitude. Depending on the facilities, the drone can take common high-resolution color pictures. Each captured image overlaps the previous image 80% to the front and 60% to the side.

2. Spatial Surveying

The land surveyors can make use of drones to define property boundaries for various purposes like selling, buying, renting a building or land. Thus, the identification of boundaries and land features with drone generated image is an added benefit. The way of mapping and surveying boundaries with drones have an essential impact on real estate and appraisal industry owing to the low costs of data collection.

3. Corridor Surveying

The main benefit of the drone is they are ideal for capturing infrastructure facilities. The drones can map and capture all kinds of infrastructure for the Government, urban planners, etc. The images click using drones are geometrically corrected afterward because they often contain inaccuracies as a result of topographic reliefs, lens distortion, and camera tilts.

4. Easy Volumetric Calculations

With the help of drones, it is now readily possible by measuring voluminous materials like spoil heaps, stockpiles, and also material waste pits. After mapping the site using a drone, it is possible to generate a digital surface. Ground-Based surveying as compare to drone surveying is more dangerous as well as time-consuming. It seems quite outdated if a ground-based employee measures the stockpile elevation every 5 to 10 feet. According to a survey, a drone measures a 30-acre site in around 30 minutes while a ground-based surveyor takes a whole day for the same work.

5. LiDAR Mapping

With the help of drones, it is now possible to generate a virtual-high resolution map of the surrounding area with LiDAR. In this process, it creates a brief digital representation of objects, buildings as well as of the ground. The images are more detailed than simple pictures.

 LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a surveying technology that measures distances by transmitting beams of light in all directions via a laser source. The technology is useful in collecting the light reflection with the help of a sensor. By measuring the required time for a round trip of the laser light, distances can be easily calculated. A powerful computer generated a three-dimensional map in real time. The large drones are in need for aerial photographs in LiDAR technology.

Conclusion

Drones are placing a powerful impact on mapping and surveying. Well, it would not surprise if GIS experts, as well as scientists and land surveyors, take advantages of drones shortly.

Source: https://blog.nibt.education/2018/03/top-5-benefits-of-drones-urban-planning/

 

Everything You Need To Know About Photogrammetry

Introduction

Photogrammetry is a 3-Dimensional correlative measuring method that makes use of photographs as the primary medium for measurement. The Photogrammetry is a technique that works on pictures for making maps and surveying. Photogrammetry technology uses drones to create maps, capture photos from various locations.

What is Photogrammetry?

Photogrammetry technology is the process of using photographs or images of real-world objects to produce digital 3D representations of those objects. The pictures or images that assist as the inputs for Photogrammetry can obtain from airborne cameras, i.e., (on a plane or a drone, for instance) or from the cameras mounted on the ground, including cell phones or fixed cameras set on tripods or poles.

The technique is beneficial for building models that represent large-scale objects, like archeological sites or buildings, other types of small objects and artifacts such as seeds and arrowheads. Photogrammetry not only supports research and interpretation by furnishing new prospects but also reveals exact details. Advanced Photogrammetry also allows for precise measurements.

How do Photogrammetry works?

Firstly, a standard Photogrammetry workflow begins with obtaining photographs of the objects from various positions and locations as possible.

The Photogrammetry software uses data extracted from those images to create “Point clouds” that become denser until 3D “Mesh” gets generated; it is the source of the full 3D model.

Simple Photogrammetry can use photographs from cell phones and low-cost images or free apps. While Sophisticated Photogrammetry uses high-quality, high-end scanners and cameras to click high-resolution photos from various positions. If fancied, users can also 3D-print a physical version of those data. Depending on hardware and software users can have either a modicum of control over the processor or very Fine-Grained control.

Generally, the process not only just includes the processing of photographic data from which the fancied result produces but also it produces the inclusion of information about how the images can capture? and under what circumstances? These details are important for reproduction and archiving.

Who works in this field?

One of the most exciting uses of Photogrammetry is its utility in recreating significant archeological sites that have been destroyed by time or human activity. The person who works in the Photogrammetry field is known as “Photogrammetrist.”

Photogrammetrist is an expert who uses Photogrammetry technology to get measurements to make maps and interpret data from images. You can also say the Photogrammetrists are the 3D mapmakers. Seems impressive!

 Want to know what involves in their work?

The Photogrammetrist is involved in all phases of mapping and several other measurement needs which include planning and supervising survey activities for control, specifying photography, managing projects for mapping and interpretation.

Photogrammetrist uses aerial photographs, satellite images, and other high-quality data collection techniques to generate 3D models to create maps. These maps are useful for land developers, research teams, Governments and ordinary people like us too. Well, making a career in Photogrammetry is the best option in today’s changing world, and the career opportunities are also growing.

Why is Photogrammetry significant?

The benefit is that Photogrammetry offers the ability to Users to build models. The models are either 3D digital representations or physical objects generated with a 3D printer. That can otherwise be impossible to obtain, provide angles and perspectives that significantly improve the study of objects, buildings, and also landscapes.

Photogrammetry also contributes new capacities for accuracy in measurements. The functions give Photogrammetry have outstanding value in the applications across a wide range of areas of work, including engineering, construction tech, architectures, manufacturing, agriculture, and equipment design. Pictures produced via Photogrammetry are relevant for incorporation in virtual reality and as well as in augmented reality. It can also furnish the building blocks for further digital guidance in 3D design software. It also gives students the understanding to remix physical objects in the virtual space.

What are the downsides?

While simple Photogrammetry can accomplish cheaply, high-end applications need costly equipment and powerful computing capacity. Data can consume long time to obtain, collect and process data. Expecting a probably significant assurance of technological and human resources.

While photogrammetry can also yield images/pictures or models of places that would not be easily accessible. Such images can also quickly render incomplete, Such as when a drone is unable to capture images under a bridge or overpass. Shiny or fast-moving objects are challenging to catch. Photographic requirements under such data for Photogrammetry systems captured and can also affect the quality of outputs. Because cameras and Photogrammetry software do not obtain every detail of an object, their digital replication can incomplete, and specifications like coloring can be inexact.

A specific level of artistry and effort might require for optimal accuracy. As per Industry standards, while growing, this has yet to yield measures that could reach more consistently complete and high-quality imaging. Significant issues around the intellectual property can rise due to replicate items. Thus, Photogrammetric can also create a fake impression that it duplicates a physical object utterly. If the technology misused, then it could create purposely misleading models and can also create a wrong impact.

Where is Photogrammetry going?

Across the Globe, Photogrammetry is growing better, faster, and more convenient. We are expected to see the more comprehensive adoption of photogrammetric in general as well as worldwide and furthermore use of the technology for new approaches. Photogrammetry is likely to discover synergies in the fast-booming world of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Users will hopefully collaborate to build increasingly standard data forms that will further speed up and estimate Photogrammetry’s evolution and growth around the globe.

What are the implications for teaching and learning Photogrammetry?

Photogrammetry is offering superior value as a research and analysis tool for a wide scope of academic disciplines. Photogrammetry is growing in importance as a tool for knowledge creation and is also an essential element of the constructivist education manifest. Also, the vital part is that the technology like Photogrammetry has its potential to increase the accessibility of disciplines dramatically.

Photogrammetry is a buzzing word in construction industry nowadays. The appearance of modern construction technologies is providing a broad platform of career opportunities for students from every field thus, giving vast job options as well.

Furthermore, The expanding plenty of courses and programs in Photogrammetry leads to the growing importance of visual and 3D thinking as components of digital education.

Photogrammetry is the best to opt the career as per modern industry standard it has vast career opportunities worldwide.

Conclusion:

Well, this was all and everything about Photogrammetry. As the world is emerging at a faster pace, Photogrammetry is expending more technologies. It is also implementing numerous career opportunities in every field and sectors.

Source: https://blog.nibt.education/2018/03/everything-you-need-to-know-about-photogrammetry/