Some Of The Pros And Cons Of Drone Based Aerial Mapping Tennessee Engineers Experience

By Harold Parker


Logging, mining, and construction sites can cover vast terrain that can be dangerous and difficult to reach. In order to excavate and level ground and to establish boundaries, companies have relied on manned survey teams and aerial photographers in helicopters and light aircraft. They have also used existing topography maps that were recorded years before. With the advent of drone based aerial mapping Tennessee engineers have been able to map sites faster, more accurately, and with less risk to their crews.

Without drones, construction managers had to guess many times just where equipment was located on a site and how long it would take to move it to another location. They could not always accurately gauge the amount of earth needing removal or how much man power it would take to do the job. This made it difficult to give good progress reports to clients.

All of this changed with the drones. Bosses have the ability to free up construction crews, surveyors, and architects and make their jobs much easier. The construction companies are able to accept more work than was possible before. This creates more job opportunities and more revenue.

Budget overruns on large construction jobs are so common experts have done studies to determine the most common causes. It comes as no surprise to the managers and crews working the sites that adverse weather conditions, difficulty getting equipment into a site, and an inability to accurately monitor a crew's activities often result in expensive delays. The companies utilizing drones have seen a significant drop in the amount of time it takes to survey a site.

Construction, mining, and logging sites offer some of the most dangerous working conditions around. OSHA has made a big difference in reducing risk in the workplace, but there are certain conditions, in these types of jobs, that can't be avoided if they are performed by humans. Drones further reduce the risk to crews, contractors, and suppliers. They may eventually eliminate the need to use human labor under certain conditions.

The FAA requires companies utilizing drones to get exemptions and authorizations, which have to be submitted to air traffic control centers in order to examine any air traffic conflicts. At the present time, commercial drones can only be operated by licensed pilots. This limits the ability of companies when it comes to staffing projects.

Companies using drones face other challenges as well. Many private citizens have concerns about drones invading their privacy and threatening their security. They fear that drones can monitor and record them, and that the resulting information could fall into the wrong hands. Clients with traditional views sometimes have negative reactions when companies suggest the use of drones.

It is accepted as fact that the infrastructure of the United States is outdated and in poor condition in many places. If Congress actually passes a comprehensive bill to improve the road and rail systems, it will require new technology and experienced operators. Many believe drones are the best answer to the complicated overhaul.




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