Landscape Practice
UAV Drones in Landscape Practice
There are a wide range of applications for UAV technology across multiple sectors within the landscape profession. The range of applications keeps expanding as technology advances, but the following examples show a snap-shot of what is available for different stages & sectors:
Feasibility Studies
- 2D plans to verify site extents, boundary & ownership, and
- 3D models to identify site constraints & opportunities.
Environmental Assessment and Due Diligence
- Environmental and habitat mapping;
- Time-based (seasonal/annual) habitat change comparisons; and
- Night time lighting assessments.
Landscape and Visual Assessment
- Mapping Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV);
- Topography and slope analysis;
- Viewpoint photography;
- 3D visualisation and photomontage; and
- Identification of quarries, waste facilities, solar farms and wind turbine sites.
Quarries, Mines and Landfills
- Safe, cost effective and high accuracy topographical surveys;
- 3D models and volumetric calculations of stockpiles, quarries and open cast mines; and
- Hotspot identification.
Urban Planning & Landscape Design
- High quality photography and mapping for site identification purposes;
- Boundary mapping;
- Area calculations;
- Planning applications; and
- Asset management.
Construction & Build Out
- Regular site surveys to measure progress & justify stage payments;
- Identify potential site-based issues & phasing constraints;
- Monitor layout & construction accuracy during construction; and
- Input to BIM.
Infrastructure and Industrial
- Pre-construction site assessments;
- Regular, accurate survey updates;
- Post construction maintenance; and
- Route corridor analysis.
Archaeological Assessment
- High quality ortho-rectified photography;
- Detailed contour mapping; and
- 3D modelling of archaeological sites.