5 Top Reasons Surveyors Are Switching To Drone LiDAR

Surveying land can be a real grind, especially if you’re trekking through tough terrain or racing against tight deadlines. Usually, the traditional methods often mean long hours, heavy gear, and lots of manual work. However, with drone LiDAR, its laser-powered precision has helped surveyors make things easier.

They now use lidar applications in industries from construction to forestry. So, why are surveyors ditching old-school tools for drones with LiDAR? That’s what you’ll find out in this article.

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Why Drone LiDAR Is Taking Over

Surveyors need accuracy and speed, and drone LiDAR is able to deliver both. It is transforming how you map land and collect data. You can read more about their features to know why it’s popular. In the meantime, here are the top five reasons it’s winning many surveyors over.

1. Super Accurate Data

Since you need measurements you can trust, drone LiDAR gives you pinpoint precision that old methods struggle to match. It can shoot thousands of laser pulses per second to create detailed 3D models.

This way, you are able to capture every inch of a site, even through trees or grass. Also, you get exact terrain data without having to guess.

2. Way Faster Surveys

Time is actually a big deal, especially if you’re on a deadline. If you use drone LiDAR, it will cut your surveying time down big time. A drone can cover huge areas in a single flight, so you can finish in hours instead of days slogging through fields.

You just fly it, collect data, and move on to planning or reporting faster.

3. Reaches Tough Spots

Some sites are a nightmare to survey, like steep hills, thick forests, or risky construction zones, for instance. You can’t walk these terrains easily. Drone LiDAR is able to fly right over those obstacles, so you can get data from places too dangerous or hard to reach on foot.

This means you don’t put your crew in harm’s way or waste time finding workarounds.

4. Saves You Cash

If you have a tight budget, you won’t be able to afford the traditional survey. Usually, it can rack up costs with big crews and long hours on-site. However, with a drone, it slashes those expenses, so you do more with less.

You only need fewer people since one drone does most of the work. Moreover, the data is so accurate that you avoid pricey mistakes that come from bad measurements.

5. Works In Any Light

Traditional surveying often needs good sunlight. So, it can stop you cold on cloudy days or tight schedules. However, with drone technology, you wouldn’t have to care about lighting. You can work at dawn, dusk, or even in low light without a hitch.

LiDAR uses laser pulses, not cameras, to map surfaces, so it gives you the flexibility to survey when it suits you best.

Conclusion

LiDAR is really the way to go these days for surveyors. It’s been a huge help, especially when it comes to difficult and dangerous terrains. The advantages are a lot, and that is why many surveyors are ditching the traditional methods for it.

So, if you’re still using old methods, you need to step out and try out LiDAR applications to boost your work.