Evaluation of UAV vs Conventional Surveying methods in locating Waste Material at a Landfill site

O'Callaghan, Jack Maurice (2018) Evaluation of UAV vs Conventional Surveying methods in locating Waste Material at a Landfill site. [USQ Project]


Abstract

Surveyors use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) across Australia for a variety of survey applications. With the use of a camera mounted to the vehicle, ground spatial data is recorded and digital terrain models of the surface created. This method is completed through geo‐ referencing images through ortho-rectification within software packages. With the decreasing cost of these technologies more and more surveyors are using UAVs as a viable option for many conventional surveying applications. It is the job of the modern surveyor to adapt to use new technologies as they become available and derive ways to test them against existing methods. The following dissertation aims to compare the use of a specific UAV for surveying waste material at a landfill site. The given aspects of the method tested included fieldwork times, data reduction times, accuracy, quality of data and presentation of data. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis will compare the times associated with each surveying method. Initial background research was completed on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, applications of UAVs and outlining Photogrammetry Technology. Background information was outlined on conventional surveying equipment and methods. Fieldwork conducted within this dissertation tested the photogrammetric UAV data versus conventional surveying data within an active landfill site. Volumes for each of the two UAV flights and the conventional surveying methods were calculated and compared to outline the results. Both flights by the UAV gave rise to very similar results. The final results show that UAVs can adequately be operated for this type of work. The accuracies of the UAV data come close to the conventional surveying method, and in some cases, it is more accurate in locating all of the undulations onsite. The cost-benefit analysis shows that the use of UAVs in surveying are low in cost and high in benefits.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021)
Supervisors: Liu, Xiaoye
Qualification: Bachelor of Spatial Science (Honours) (Surveying)
Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2021 04:49
Last Modified: 29 Jun 2023 02:23
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40646

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