5 Types of Data Drones Commercial Land Developers Look For

Image of Parking Lot Elevation

As drone technology evolves, so too do the applications for which they can be used. One industry that has been particularly impacted by the use of drones is commercial land development.  As the commercial construction industry is poised to grow from $6.4 trillion USD to $14.4 trillion USD by 2030, the genesis of projects in this high growth sector involves land acquisition and commercial development.

What types of drone data do land developers look for?

Drones are being used to capture a wide variety of data for these projects, allowing developers to make more informed decisions and improve project outcomes.  From commercial high rises to student housing for education, drones are fast becoming a standard part of the developers equipment portfolio.  But what type of data are drones really capable delivery of that delivering that help commercial land developers?

Here I list some of the types of data that drones can capture for commercial land development projects:

Image of Lot Main Site X

Early construction phase for new student housing project

Aerial Imagery

Perhaps the most obvious use of drones in land development is to capture aerial imagery. Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras can capture detailed images of the land, including topography, vegetation, and existing infrastructure. Drone service providers use this information to create detailed 3D maps and models that can be used to inform design decisions.

Thermal Imagery

Drones can also be equipped with thermal cameras, which can detect heat signatures. This can be useful for land development projects where heat signatures can indicate potential problems, such as leaking pipes or hotspots in electrical systems. Thermal imagery can also be used to detect changes in temperature that may indicate changes in land use, such as the construction of new buildings or roads.

LiDAR

Drones can be equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, which use lasers to create high-resolution maps of the land. This technology is particularly useful for land development projects that involve complex terrain or structures, such as bridges or tunnels. LiDAR can also be used to detect changes in elevation, which is important for projects that involve grading or excavation.

Environmental Data

Drones can be used to capture a wide variety of environmental data for land development projects, including air and water quality, noise levels, and wildlife populations. This information can be used to identify potential environmental impacts of the project and develop mitigation strategies.

Image of Glendale Sudios Orthomosaic X

Construction progress monitoring includes orthomosaic images

Construction Monitoring

Aerial Decisions uses drones to monitor construction progress and detect any potential issues that are time sensitive in nature. By capturing high-resolution images and videos of the construction site, we assist developers in identifying potential problems early on and make any necessary adjustments to the project.  Additionally, drones can also be used to inspect properties and land without the need for workers to access potentially hazardous areas.  This can help to improve safety on job sites and reduce the risk of accidents.  Another useful drone application is in the area of on site supply management.  Drones can capture volume data for project stockpiles and immediately transfer that data to supply chain managers, ensuring the timely delivery of fresh supplies to each job site.

In conclusion, I can say definitively that drones have become a valuable tool for commercial land development projects. They are capable of capturing a wide variety of data, including aerial and thermal imagery, LiDAR data, environmental data, and construction monitoring data. By using drones to collect this information, developers can make more informed decisions and improve project outcomes.

From The Editor:

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Jim Gibson